Old Marshall Jail Ballad Swap

*a fundraiser for Hurricane Helene relief efforts in Marshall, NC*

The Old Marshall Jail Ballad Swap is a celebration of Appalachian heritage, that has been regularly hosted by Josh Copus, Donna Ray Norton, Sheila Kay Adams, and Melanie Rice at the Old Marshall Jail located in a little town above the French Broad River on the edge of the Pisgah National Forest in Madison County, NC. This casual “front porch” gathering has become know for bringing together ballad singers from across the region to share stories and songs that have been passed down for generations. Madison County, known for its rich ballad tradition, was famously described by English folk song collector Cecil Sharp as a “nest of singing birds” in 1916. The ballad tradition here goes back at least nine generations, making it one of the oldest unbroken oral traditions in the U.S.

Recently the Old Marshall Jail was damaged by Hurricane Helene. Because of this the Ballad Swap is currently traveling to different venues in the region in an effort to preserve and celebrate this important cultural tradition. This presentation of the Old Marshall Jail Ballad Swap at the Floyd Country Store is one of those "traveling sessions" and we are proud to be a host! Help us raise some money to offset the damage done by Helene and get the Ballad Swap back home.