Charles Blevins
Charles Blevins | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Born | 1925 Pike County, Kentucky, US |
Died | August 24, 2004[1] Borderland, West Virginia, US | (aged 78)
Genres | Folk music |
Instrument | Banjo[2] |
Formerly of | Charles Blevins and the Independenent Mountaineers[3] |
Charles Blevins was a West Virginia folk music artist and the owner of Red Robin Inn, in Borderland, West Virginia.[4]
Career
Blevins began his career in coal mining for 16 years, following in the footsteps of generations before him who had worked for the Borderland Coal Corporation in Mingo County, West Virginia.[5][6] He later served in the US Navy during World War II and was stationed aboard the battleship, USS Alabama.[1]
Red Robin Inn
After retiring, Blevins opened the Red Robin Inn with his father in 1953 in Borderland, West Virginia.[1] He began his music career performing at the inn, often accompanied by his collection of banjos. His musical journey was deeply inspired by his mother and grandmother, who played various instruments.[7] The tavern closed in 1993 when construction of U.S. Route 119 required the land it occupied. In its memory, a museum called Red Robin Plateau was established across the Tug Fork in Pike County, Kentucky.[8]
Film
Blevins appeared in the West Virginia Public Broadcasting documentary Mountaineer, alongside Denise Giardina and Clyde Case. The film explores West Virginia culture and folklore.[3]
Personal life
Blevins is the brother-in-law of Burl Stafford.[9]
Gallery
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Charles Blevins standing in front of the Red Robin Inn
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Charles Vernon Blevins". North Alabama Heritage Dulcimer Association. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "Charles Blevins Playing Homemade Banjo, Borderland, W.Va". West Virginia University. 1974. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ a b "Mountaineer - West Virginia Culture Documentary". PBS. 1974. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Nussbaum, Nancy (October 4, 1992). "Bye, bye, Birdie - Red Robin's fate has the inn crowd singing the blues". newspapers.com. Associated Press. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Caudill, Tim (October 31, 1994). "Charlie Blevins tunes and interview; 10/31/1994". Augusta Arts and Culture. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ Nussbaum, Nancy (February 14, 1992). "Last Call for Red Robin Inn, Preservation Hall for Appalachia's Culture". LA Times. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
- ^ "SFC Audio Cassette 13321: Charlie Blevins interview, Borderland, W. Va., 22 January 1991: side 1". University of North Carolina. January 22, 1991. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ Kline, Michael (February 9, 2024). "Red Robin Inn". eWV. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
- ^ "July 2019 - Obituaries". Mingo Messenger. July 26, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2025.