Healing Appalachia kicked off in Lewisburg, West Virginia one week ago today with a performance from Alabaster Boxer. The Beckley based band took the stage under the massive roof of the AG Barn at the West Virginia State Fairgrounds. The concert also featured speakers, award presentations and was also a night to celebrate the hundreds of volunteers that make this festival happen. The volunteers are made up largely of people who are in active recovery and spend the week camping there and creating community and support for one another.
Alabaster Boxer was joined by Virginia based Palmyra, Arkansas folk singer, Willi Carlisle, Georgia singer-songwriter Conrad Moore, country musician, Chris Reece. Each act had their own story of Appalachia to tell and present in their unique way. The show was emceed by Crystal Good of Black By God, WV’s source for elevating Black voices from the Mountain State.
We spent the evening and much of the week with member of Alabaster Boxer as they performed and took in the rest of the festival. Fresh off of their release of their newest project “Live From The Raleigh” this band showed why they have grown in massive popularity in a very short period of time. Check out our photo gallery below.
Alabaster Boxer put on a high energy show that showed off their versatility and cohesiveness as a unit.
Palmyra was a three piece that sounded like a twenty person ensemble.
Willi Carlisle is two parts storyteller, two parts singer and one hundred parts entertaining. That may not math right but trust us, he’s great.
Conrad Moore brought an outlaw country feel to his set.
Presenters were included throughout the evening that helped kickoff Healing Appalachia 2024.
