Bobby McMillon's Legacy: A Tapestry of Ballads and Stories in Appalachia

Bobby McMillon performing at the 2019 Lunsford Festival ballad swap on the campus of Mars Hill University. (Image by Natural Craft Photography)

Bobby McMillon at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Image courtesy of the Bobby McMillon Collection, Southern Appalachian Archives, Mars Hill University)

Bobby McMillon singing the hymn "The Old Churchyard." (Courtesy of the Bobby McMillon Collection, Southern Appalachian Archives, Mars Hill University.

Mae "Maw Maw" Phillips singing "I Used to Wear My Aprons Low." McMillon learned many songs from Phillips. (Courtesy of the Bobby McMillon Collection, Southern Appalachian Archives, Mars Hill University)

Charlie Silver's grave in the Old Kona Baptist Church cemetery in Kona, North Carolina. (Image courtesy of AS 344)

Mars Hill University's AS 344: Creative Traditions in Southern Appalachia class on a field trip to the Old Kona Baptist Church in Kona in Mitchell County, North Carolina, where much of the story of Frankie and Charlie Silver took place. 

Interior of the Old Kona Baptist Church in Kona in Mitchell County, North Carolina. (Image courtesy of AS 344)

by MHU students Andrea Kusz, Joelle Tortorella, and Taylor Zima

“I followed after stories and song and ballads throughout my life.” - Bobby McMillon (Patterson, 29)

Weaving tales of love, tragedy, and the human experience into the folds of the region's oral traditions, Appalachian ballads are deeply rooted in the cultural tapestry of the land. More than musical compositions, they are living chronicles passed down through generations as echoes of the past. In some cases, Appalachian ballads can serve as a communal memory, and can reflect the history, values, and emotions of a community.

Bobby McMillon (1951-2021), a remarkable local figure, was a ballad singer, storyteller, and folklorist born in Lenoir, North Carolina. His artistic influences came from primitive Baptist hymns, traditional stories, and ballads, as noted by folklorist Daniel Patterson in his book A Tree Accurst. McMillon’s passion for traditional arts can be traced to his older relatives, who actively preserved cultural heritage as they transitioned from traditional to modern living in economically challenged areas. Bobby's early fascination with folk traditions originated from the rich stories shared by his grandparents, both born in the late 1800s, who had a wealth of tales to impart (Winick and McMillon). This early connection evolved over time into a profound interest in narrative ballads.

Bobby McMillon's commitment to preserving Appalachian heritage extended beyond his spell-binding performances of old songs and stories. An active collector and documenter of these cultural legacies, McMillon's efforts were rooted in a transformative encounter during his teenage years. Introduced to Dr. Cratis Williams by his English teacher at the age of 16, McMillon began recording the details of his musical experiences—information about the people he learned from, their backgrounds, and their ages. Williams foresaw the significance of this practice, telling McMillon, "Someday this will mean more to you than you think” (Winick and McMillon).

In recognition of his invaluable contributions, McMillon received prestigious awards, including the North Carolina Folk Heritage Award from the North Carolina Arts Council in 2000 and the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Award from Mars Hill University in 2004. The lasting impact of McMillon's work is evident in the Bobby McMillon Legacy Project, housed at the Ramsey Center for Appalachian Studies at Mars Hill University. Through careful documentation and recognition, McMillon's legacy ensures the preservation and active continuation of Appalachian traditions.

Many of Bobby's songs and stories were learned from Mae Jenkins Phillips, his paternal uncle's mother-in-law, whom Bobby called Maw Maw Phillips. McMillon became known in the community for his talent and interest in ballads, receiving invitations to perform at festivals and gaining fame (Patterson, 8-25). From his travels in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, McMillon amassed a library of handwritten songs, stories, jokes, and sayings. Some of the songs he performed include "Pretty Fair Maid," "My Dearest Dear," and "The Old Churchyard." One particular narrative held a special place in his repertoire: a mysterious tale passed down from his grandmother, the story of Frankie Silver. This connection to the past, as McMillon reflected, not only enriched his performances but also brought history alive for him (Winick and McMillon).

In the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, in the small community of Kona, in Mitchell County, the tragic saga of Frankie Silver unfolds. In the early 19th century, she was accused of murdering her husband, Charlie, and was eventually executed. This story, deeply rooted in the familial and geographical fabric of the Appalachian region, resonates in the collective consciousness of western North Carolinians. In his investigation of the story, Bobby McMillon discovered personal connections to the ill-fated couple through family ties and marital connections (Patterson 5).

The film The Ballad of Frankie Silver (dir. Tom Davenport, 1996) explores Frankie Silver's story, and is a profound journey into the complex interplay between folklore, social history, law, and narrative conventions. The award-winning book A Tree Accurst: Bobby McMillon and Stories of Frankie Silver (Dan Patterson, 2003) attests to the enduring impact of McMillon's contributions.

Bobby McMillon will live on as a guardian of Appalachian oral traditions, leaving a lasting legacy of preserving the region's cultural heritage. Through his performances and comprehensive collections, McMillon not only preserved the essence of the ballads, but also assumed the role of guardian of Appalachian history. As folklorist and musician William Ritter said: "McMillon's prolific contributions, which include writings, recordings, and books, serve as a source for various projects, albums, programs, and presentations" (Kopp). McMillon is an integral part of Appalachian folk music. His legacy will continue to shape folk music for generations to come.

Works Cited

 “Bobby McMillon.” Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, www.blueridgeheritage.com/artist/bobby-mcmillon/#:~:text=Robert%20Lynn%20“Bobby”%20McMillon%2C. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Davenport, Tom, director. The Ballad of Frankie Silver. Folkstreams, 1996, https://www.folkstreams.net/films/ballad-of-frankie-silver. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

“Folklife from Home: Bobby McMillon - Storytelling.” North Carolina Folklife Institute, 29 Oct. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRH0e5dXEG8. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

“Kona.” Mitchell County Historical Society, 10 Dec. 2018, mitchellnchistory.org/2018/12/10/kona/.

Kopp, Bill. “Mars Hill University Launches the Bobby McMillon Legacy Project.” Mountain Xpress, 3 Nov. 2022, mountainx.com/arts/mars-hill-university-launches-the-bobby-mcmillon-legacy-project/.

“Lunsford Festival: Ballads.” Mars Hill University, 24 Aug. 2023, www.mhu.edu/about/what-to-do-and-see/ramsey-center/lunsford-festival/ballads/.

Patterson, Daniel W. A Tree Accurst: Bobby McMillon and Stories of Frankie Silver. The University of North Carolina Press, 2003.

Thornhill, Michael. “Bobby McMillon Legacy Project Will Continue Ballad Singer and Storyteller’s Work.” Mars Hill University, 16 Sept. 2022, www.mhu.edu/news/bobby-mcmillon-legacy-project-will-continue-ballad-singer-and-storytellers-work/.

Winick, Stephen, and Bobby McMillon. “Bobby McMillon Interview.” The Library of Congress, 10 Aug. 2018, www.loc.gov/item/webcast-8597/.

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