Alan “Cathead” johnston

 
I first heard Alan’s music on a video about the flood of 2002. His song “Muddy Water” grabbed my attention and held it. It is a haunting, defiant ballad about the devastating effects of nature on Coalwood and other nearby towns. This song and others speak about the strength, pride and spirit of the people who live in McDowell County. I bought his albums and quickly became a fan. I knew I wanted to use some of his music in my movie, but as an outsider wanted to make sure I approached him in the right way about it. Rhonda Goad knew Alan from high school days, and she introduced us. We spent an afternoon together in the summer of 2006. I’ll never forget the day that I became friends with an excellent musician and an all around good guy. Alan is letting me use his music in my film and for that I am indebted. Check out these links to hear more of his music. http://www.mcdowellwv.com/mcdowell_county_project.html http://www.mcdowellwv.com/south52.html http://www.youtube.com/cathead77 http://www.mcdowellwv.com/mcdowell_county_project.htmlhttp://www.mcdowellwv.com/south52.htmlhttp://www.youtube.com/cathead77shapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2

“Cathead’s” music

embodies the heart and soul

of mcdowell county

 
 
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For the past two summers, Alan, his daughter Stacy Grubb and wife Wilma have performed in Terror of the Tug, a play about the history of the County.


Alan wrote and performs the music in the production.

With Alan in Welch, WV

                  August, 2007

Video clips from

          Terror of the Tug

                      A play by Jean Battlo

   Thank God for the U.M.W.A.


Written and performed by

Alan “Cathead”Johnston

Welch, West Virginia

August 4, 2007

These two videos are from a memorable evening with the Minneapolis “Coalwood to the Cape” teachers,  the Goads, and Tom and Jean Messinger visiting from Colorado in October of 2007.

Terror of the Tug

      A play by Jean Battlo

                      Sid


Written by David Grubb & Alan Johnston

Performed by Alan johnston and Stacy Grubb

Welch, West Virginia

August 4, 2007

Foggy Mountain Breakdown


Written by Earl Scruggs

Performed by Alan Johnston & Charlie Davis

Take Me Home, Country Roads


Words and music by Bill Danoff, Taffy Nivert and John Denver

Sung by Stacy Grubb

With Alan Johnston &Charlie Davis

Alan, his daughter Stacy Grubb and Charlie Davis played for us on the porch of the Dian-Lee House in Bluefield, West Virginia on October 4, 2007. 

Cathead’s got these videos and a bunch more stuff up on YouTube.  Click HERE to go to his page.

Check out my “MORE Cathead” page HERE for some new videos from this year’s trip.