Interview with Brett Ratliff, May 16, 2018

Interview Summary

Brett Ratliff talks about his life, beginning with his childhood in the tiny coal town of Van Lear, Kentucky. Ratliff had pride in his small community and his street, where every house had a member of his family living there. Ratliff talks about his journey with music, starting with hearing bluegrass on WMMT, the Appalshop radio station. He slowly but surely learned more and more until he created a bluegrass band. Ratliff also discusses his attempts at college, with his initial interest in doing robotics. However, he realized last minute that it was not a good fit. After a few false starts, he finally landed on production with a minor in traditional music at Morehead State University. Finally, Ratliff goes over his work with Appalshop, beginning with his first failed attempt at getting job there and then when he finally did get the job. In between those stories, Ratliff goes into detail about some of the challenges that Appalshop faced, such as politics, funding, and a widening age gap. Ratliff looks back at all of these experiences as difficult but formative and helped him get where he's working now, at the Hindman Settlement School.

Interview Keyword

Appalachia Appalshop Traditional music Eastern Kentucky 2008 Recession Great Recession Financial crisis--21st century Audio production Traditional music Traditional musicians Kentucky community colleges Prestonsburg Community College Artistic influences Appalachian stereotypes Eastern Kentucky stereotypes Cultural identity Fiddles Bluegrass instruments Kentucky Folklife Festival Mayo Technical College Musical influences Appalachian families Church of Christ Religious music Childhood memories

Interview LC Subject

Appalshop, Inc. Appalshop, Inc. WMMT-FM Appalachian region Van Lear (Ky.) Whitesburg (Ky.) Morehead State University WMMT-FM (Radio station: Whitesburg, Ky.) Folk music Appalshop Film & Video Community radio Lexington Community College Prestonsburg (Ky.) Bluegrass music Art and music Appalachian Region Appalachian Region--Social conditions Appalachian Region--Economic conditions Kentucky Folklife Foundation Old-time music Education--Higher Goose Creek Symphony (Musical group) Radio programs Paintsville (Ky.) Bluegrass musicians Ratliff, Brett Van Lear (Ky.) Church music Johnson County (Ky.)

Interview Rights

All rights to the interviews, including but not restricted to legal title, copyrights and literary property rights, have been transferred to the University of Kentucky Libraries.

Interview Usage

Interviews may only be reproduced with permission from Louie B. Nunn Center for Oral History, University of Kentucky Libraries.