November 13, 2008 issue
Singing To Save Their Mountains
Activist Band Public Outcry To Perform Free Concert at Broyhill November 20
Story by David Brewer
Six of Kentucky’s most talented writers and musicians have come together to form Public Outcry, a band devoted to fighting mountaintop removal mining through music. The band is comprised of Silas House, Jason Howard, Kate Larken, George Ella Lyon, Jessie Lynne Keltner and Anne Shelby. The show at the Broyhill Inn on Thursday, November 20, is free and open to the public and will begin at 7:00 p.m.
The six artists come from all parts of the state and are united by a deep love and respect for their homeland. The band, which identifies itself not as anti-coal, but pro-mountains, has been together for less than two years, but has quickly garnered a devoted following as they stand up for the mountains through song.
The members of Public Outcry initially convened individually to contribute songs to a benefit compilation CD entitled Songs for the Mountaintop. While promoting the record, the authors and musicians began collaborating on stage and soon formed the band.
Combining country, blues, rockabilly, old-time and even an occasional bit of calypso, Public Outcry plays what is best described as acoustic folk music.
“What we found is that this issue is so emotional and hard-hitting that it’s easier to write about it in song form,” said Howard. “Music reaches a whole new demographic of people—people that might not read an op-ed piece but like to listen to music.”
Public Outcry has already performed on mountaintops overlooking mining sites, in universities throughout the region, and in Kentucky’s Capitol Rotunda. Their goal is to visit as many schools and communities as possible to inform more people about this form of coal mining and its effects on the land and its people.
While their ultimate goal is to inform, educate and motivate their audiences, Public Outcry manages to make their hour-long program on mountaintop removal entertaining and enjoyable. The quick-paced program consists mostly of the band’s music along with a 12-minute slide show that delivers profound images of mountaintop removal’s detrimental effects.
Last spring, Public Outcry released their self-title debut CD and has been playing as much as possible. Howard and the other members have been encouraged by the continued efforts of grassroots organizations to promote anti-mountaintop removal legislation on the state and national level, despite the failure of several bills to be passed into law.
“It’s been really gratifying to educate people on the subject,” said Howard. “We’re making headway.”
To hear music by the band or learn more about their mission, click to www.myspace.com/publicoutcryky.
The event is sponsored by ASU University College, Center for Appalachian Studies, Appalachian Journal, Sustainable Development Program, Department of English and Appalachian Voices.
Want To Go?
Date: Thursday, November 20
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Helen Powers Ballroom at the Broyhill Inn
Cost: FREE!
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