Dave Tabler, Author at Appalachian History

1927 Bristol Sessions –not the ‘Big Bang’ of country music? 1 of 2

The August 1927 Bristol Sessions are commonly acknowledged as the event that gave rise to the professional country musician/recording star.

Train #6, Fast Flying Virginian; 8 cars, 15 MPH. Photographed_ leaving Cincinnati, Ohio, August 8, 1933

September 18, 2018 Railroad industry / Virginia

Dining in style in the FFV

It was the Chesapeake & Ohio’s first luxury passenger train – the Fast Flying Virginian, or F.F.V. It debuted on May 11, 1889.

Scottish traveller in front of his wagon

September 17, 2018 Melungeons / Scottish Travellers

Just passing through—the Scottish Travellers

In the Old Country, these nomads have lived on the outskirts of villages & earned money as tinsmiths, hawkers, & horse dealers for 500 years.

Johnson City Chronicle article on Al Capone

September 14, 2018 Appalachian crime / Bootlegging/bootleggers / Tennessee

Al Capone comes to Appalachia

Did Chicago mobster Al Capone ever set foot in Johnson City? During the 20s the town was nicknamed Little Chicago. Crime ties to the north?

Not a great deal is factually known about John Chapman—by now the tall tale spinners have probably entirely obscured the full reality of the man himself.

Author: Dave Tabler

1927 Bristol Sessions –not the ‘Big Bang’ of country music? 1 of 2

Dining in style in the FFV

Just passing through—the Scottish Travellers

Al Capone comes to Appalachia

The real Johnny Appleseed