I was born and raised in West Virginia. My family settled in Boone County in 1824 and were loggers and raised cattle. Before that, they had come from York, PA where they had resided since 1720. Enough history.

I wanted a banjo. Why? My best friend, Jim Remsburg, wouldn’t let go of his guitar long enough for me to learn anything. I asked my dad if he would buy me a banjo for Christmas. I was surprised he agreed so quickly to my request. My first banjo was a Silvertone model purchased at the Sears and Roebuck store located at 29th St. and Route 60 in Huntington, WV. I was 12 years old.

I slept with it and took it everywhere I went. After spending some time studying chords and tunings, one Saturday I was seated on the couch at my grandfather’s farm at Hereford, WV at the big bend in Rt. 33, between Ripley and Spencer, WV. I was attempting to chord a tune. My father joined me on the couch and asked if I would allow him to show me something.

Up to then, he never indicated he knew anything about a banjo. At church when we sang hymns, he couldn’t carry a tune in a #2 washtub. Of course, he sang songs to me at bedtime, and they were all a little offkey. What I wouldn’t give to have him here sing to me one more time.

As he reached for the banjo, I wasn’t sure what would happen next. When he started playing, Old Man, Old Man, I Want Your Daughter.” I nearly peed in my pants. When I recovered from my total shock, I asked him where he learned that. He said he learned it in the early 1930’s from his Uncle, Otis Green, in Boone County West Virginia. Not once in my short life of 12 years had I ever imagined dad could play any instrument, much less a banjo.

There he was, showing me, a style of finger picking I’d never seen or heard of. All I had learned to that point was how to tune my banjo and strum a few chords. Now, I had something that hit me like a lightning bolt – a family style. I practiced every day. At some point, I gained the courage to start playing when family was present. Then, I began to learn songs from my dad and relatives and to accompany them while they sang.

Over my life I have modified my dad’s style to fit more closely what my inner voice “hears” when I’m playing or wanting to arrange a version of an old tune. On this website is a copy of a TV program recorded by Vermont Public Television and hosted by Rick Palieri, where Bill Burke describes my style as I play it for Rick. You can find it under the website tab: Fred Coon and Bill Burke.

In closing, mine has been a wonderful musical journey. My field recordings of Aunt Jennie Wilson, Frank George, John Hilt, and JP Haygood, The Springfed Band, the Back Porch Bandits, and many others are here too. I have yet to pull from my stacks the raw and unedited 5-inch reels of Doc Boggs, Tab Ward, and Cap and Viola Hicks, among others. This website has a few of the stories I tell on stage, (please see the “Publishers Note To Readers” found directly below), a few jam session videos, pieces from various concerts, TV and radio shows, and some of me at home alone or with friends.

Somehow, I happened to be in the right place at the right time. This allowed me to meet perfect strangers who, because of our shared love and respect for Appalachian music and tradition, welcomed me into their homes, sat me down at their tables, shared their fine cooking, and heartfelt prayers at suppertime. We wound up playing together many afternoons and evenings at fiddlers conventions and festivals throughout the Appalachian Mountains.

When I think back on these experiences it fills my heart with joy. Sometimes it is hard for me to communicate my feelings, so this website is my attempt to share my joy with you. Anytime you decide to come back and visit, you’re as welcome as a Spring rain.”

Publishers Note To Readers: “The Publisher certifies that Fred’s stories are 100% true. Each story is enthusiastically told without mental reservation or the purpose of evasion and is freely interpolated.” 😊