Located in Ronceverte, WV on Monroe Ave, in the former Island Park Roller Rink,, you’ll find weekly Tuesday night jam sessions and Saturday night concerts at The American Heritage Music Hall. They invite you and your family to join them and enjoy bluegrass, country, rock & roll, old time, and folk music from a variety of talented musicians both locally and from afar.

The Hall, as it’s referred to, hosts jam and dance sessions every Tuesday night at 7pm with a cover of $7. Every fourth Saturday of the month, the Hall hosts a concert at 7pm, with a regular cover charge of just $10. Everyone is welcome.

The Hall orginally started with weekly jam sessions in Jeannie Crane’s living room. Jeannie would regularly make music with Fred Bolt and Charlie Massie. Friends and musicians were always welcome but the attendance became so big that Jeannie and Charlie looked for a larger facility. The duo found an old pet store in Fairlea, WV and performed their for 6 1/2 years. Finally asked to move on by the shop owner, Jeannie and Charlie came across the roller rink building. They moved in and officially created The American Heritage Music Hall.

Not only does Charlie now run the Hall, but he is also an executive board member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) in our Local 674 chapter, which is chartered in Covington, Virginia. Local 674 is a small yet active organization that includes several members of our music community including the West Virginia Jazz Orchestra and most recent member, Heartstrings Academy, heartstringsacademy.com founder and professional violinist, Russell Fallstad.

AFM members prefer all styles of music such as rock, pop, gospel, country, jazz, reggae, contemporary, etc. You’ll find major recording musicians and groups who are members of AFM, including Yo-Yo Ma, The Goo Goo Dolls, Roberta Flack, and Willie Nelson.

As an AFM member, Charlie is active in promoting public awareness that protects musicians interests. His mission is to promote live music of all types to carry on their music heritage. Established on June 15, 1998, the Hall has become nationally and internationally recogized. Charlie regularly greets visitors from all over the United States, Iceland, England, Germany, Japan, Canada, Mexico, and Italy.

For the month of December, on Saturday the 21st, the Hall welcomes Randy Goodson and Nashville Departure to their stage at 7pm.

Bill Evans’ Night Riders is scheduled to perform on New Year’s Eve, starting at 7pm.

January’s “Saturday Night Dance” will host Country Proud Band on the 25th, 7pm.

Please take note that the Hall does not provide refreshments. You are encouraged to bring food and drinks (snacks, pot luck, coffee, soft drinks, etc) to donate and share with everyone. This establishment is also handicap accessible. It’s a non-profit organization and is drug, alcohol, and smoke free.

Be sure to enjoy an evening out at the Hall this winter. You’re guaranteed to have a great time. Within your first 5 minutes after arriving, you may just find yourself on the dance floor! But remember, the Hall is a family friendly atmosphere (open to all age groups) so don’t get too wild now. We encourage you to have a great time and tell em LBSPY sent you!

For questions concerning shows and/or booking, contact Charlie Massie at
charliemassie@suddenlink.net or 304-645-3982 or contact Randy Goodson at randydpetalman@hotmail.com or 304-445-3220. To learn more about Local 674, please visit afm647.org.

– Christina Entenmann, LBSPY #48 (Dec 16-Jan 13, 2014).