Becks is a queer scholar and musician, focusing their work on community engagement and placemaking through music and agriculture. As a musician, Becks works to create events that bridge the divisions in communities. Their scholarship focuses on queer Appalachian music and the importance that music traditions hold, both in Appalachian communities and the queer community.
A native West Virginian, Emily Lehr finds comfort in the tradition of her Appalachian roots while maintaining her own spin on her sound. Borrowing the storytelling traditions and mellow timbres of Carole King and Joni Mitchell, Lehr sings to the current generation while incorporating echoes of the past in addition to finding inspiration in modern influences such as Lizzy McAlpine and Madison Cunningham in tone and introspective songwriting.
Lehr began singing and making music as soon as she could talk and began writing songs in elementary school. As a music therapy and Appalachian music student at West Virginia University, Lehr came into her own as a vocalist and writer, supported by mentors and friends along the way. Most notable was her time with Grammy nominated artist and Mountain Stage host Kathy Mattea to discuss songwriting, performing, and life in Nashville. Lehr considers these meetings the catalyst of her push to move to Nashville and professionally pursue songwriting and performing. Listeners can now hear Lehr's sophomore record Hell Hath No Fury on all streaming platforms.
This show co-sponsored with Cumberland Pride Festival!
Tickets are $15 and available here:
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