This site is hosted by the West Virginia Humanities Council.

2009 West Virginia Book Festival

Speaker Biographies

portrait: Bill Hairston

Bill Hairston

Bill is best known as a singer/storyteller. He has been performing in concerts, schools, libraries and other venues throughout the region for over 35 years. His stories and songs embody the rich Appalachian culture that he was exposed to as a child along the Coal River. Within his interpretations, he frequently weaves the contributions of African Americans to Appalachian history and culture.

He has performed internationally in England, Germany, Austria and Lithuania. In 1990 Bill developed the elementary school program, "We Are One." The program examines the similarities in the Appalachian and African American cultures.

In 1995 he released his first recording titled "Nobody Knows."

See full progam schedule

Programs with Bill Hairston: