Aunt Jennie Wilson
Jennie Wilson was a recognized West Virginia treasure. She has her own WV State Historical Marker at Henlawson, where she was born. Jenny was born in 1900 in Logan County, West Virginia. This was wild country in those days. It was a rough life; no matter how you cut it. She learned banjo from her brother and songs from her family. She was the first person I ever recorded. You are listening to recordings made in her home at Peach Creek, Logan County, WV.
I met Jennie when she was playing at the Cedar Lakes Arts and Crafts Fair which was held in Ripley WV. Our farm, and my grandfather’s farm, were in that county, so I decided to go. It was 1963, I was 18 years old.
When I got there, I saw this “old woman” sitting with my friend Frank George, playing tunes. As I approached, Frank asked me to join. That’s when I met Jennie. What a woman! What a musician! She knew so many Child Ballads and WV folk songs! She spoke her mind at every turn and wasn’t afraid of the consequences. For some reason, she took me under her wing and treated me like a grandson until her death in 1993. In the stories section of this website, I have recorded some of my experiences with Aunt Jennie. She holds a very special place in my musical life. I’ll bet that you too will feel like family after you listen to Aunt Jennie.
Aunt Jennie's Songs & Stories
Listen to this collection of traditional songs, banjo tunes, stories and memories recorded with Aunt Jennie Wilson.