Music writer in Asheville researching book on Zilphia Horton, needs financial support

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Here’s the note sent to me by Kim Ruelh, who just moved to Asheville and is researching a book on Zilphia Horton. Neat project:

Hi there – 

I just wanted to get in touch to introduce myself. I’m a music reporter covering Americana/folk/roots music for About.com and No Depression, though I’ve also done a lot of feature stories in print for everything from Billboard magazine to regional magazines like SoundNW, CityArts, Seattle mag, West Coast Performer, etc.

But the main reason I’m writing you is that I just moved to town from Seattle to research a book-length biography about Zilphia Horton. Among many other things, she was the woman who found and adapted hymns into the culture-changing anthems they became, like “We Shall Overcome,” “This Little Light of Mine,” “We Shall Not Be Moved,” and more. She was also a community organizer and labor union organizer, a teacher, accordion player, song leader, and activist whose work was chiefly conducted out of the Highlander Center in New Market, TN. 

Considering the far reach of her work, and the way these songs in particular have seeped into the collective conscience of our country, the fact that almost nothing has been written about her is kind of surprising. I intend to change that, and that’s why I’m writing this book. 

I’ve already been in touch with the folks at the Highlander Center, am working on getting in touch with Pete Seeger, and have contacted several southern civil rights leaders for interviews and other information. Planning on heading to Nashville to read Zilphia’s papers (they’re housed in the archives there) sometime in January. Etc. 

I’m also at the tail end of what’s been a fairly fruitful Kickstarter campaign – including some checks that have been sent in the mail to me, which aren’t yet reflected on my project page, I’ve raised around $3,685 for this project. Which leaves me about $1,315 left to reach my goal, with seven days remaining. As you may or may not know, Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing funding site. So, if I don’t reach $5k by the 8th, I won’t get any of the money that’s been pledged by my 58 backers. 

Might you be interested in posting something about this on your Ashvegas blog? OR Might you know anyone who would be interested in helping me spread the word during this final key week in my fundraising quest? I would really, really appreciate it. 

Hope you’re well!