2005

Lester McCumbers

Lester McCumbers was born in 1921 in southern Calhoun County, and carries on a rich tradition of fiddling, singing and guitar playing that has thrived in his family for generations. He has performed widely for more than 60 years with old-time and bluegrass music groups, appearing at concerts, contests, festivals, square dances and on radio shows throughout West Virginia and elsewhere. He has maintained his music as an important part of his life, developing a personal style of playing and singing marked by sincerity, drive and emotion. McCumbers continues to pass on his musical heritage to others, including family members, apprentices and countless workshop participants. He and his wife and performing partner Linda have known each other since childhood. They were married in 1937 and raised nine children as they performed with a variety of bands. For four years in the mid-1960s, they hosted a weekly radio show on WSPZ in Spencer. The couple’s first CD recording, “Old Timey,” was released in 2002 and features 26 of their old-time fiddle tunes and songs. Photograph by Michael Keller.