Cara Ellen Modisett

Not even last year’s stream of letters from our readers about motorcycling and motorcyclists matched the volume of correspondence we’ve received from you since our last issue. Some of you loved the cover, which featured West Virginia native, Grammy-winning singer Kathy Mattea; many of you found it “inappropriate,” “offensive,” “disappointing,” a “turn-off.” You e-mailed, you called and wrote letters.

An overwhelming concern was that Blue Ridge Country was changing, that this is the “new” Blue Ridge Country, something akin to People magazine or the supermarket tabloids. Some of you asked for an explanation for the cover. There were a number of reasons we published it.

One. We have always, and will continue to, publish covers that celebrate the scenic beauty of our mountains. The Blue Ridge region is not just about place, however; it’s also about people, history, conflict and creativity. Our magazine, and our covers, celebrate all aspects of the Appalachian region, not just the waterfalls and mountain ridges.

Two. We strive to try new things. A person on the cover, especially a person who’s talented and a strong advocate for the mountains she loves, is a good thing now and then. We do not have any intention of radically changing Blue Ridge Country, on the outside or in, but we also want to keep the magazine fresh, with new and unexpected content, to re-inspire our dedicated readers and catch the eyes of new ones.

Three. Kathy Mattea is a worthy cover subject. She grew up in this region, loves these mountains, has built a solid career over the years without letting go of her roots. Her music echoes the bluegrass of this region; her success has contributed to the careers of other musicians who keep our region’s music alive – Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Mark O’Connor. She is not Britney Spears. She is by all accounts down to earth, kind and real. She has added her voice and her music to the dialogue concerning issues such as mountaintop removal mining.

Four. The cover reflects the great content within. In our cover story, Kathy Mattea, Dolly Parton, Bob Timberlake, Sandra Brown, Randy Owen and others took the time to share with us what they love about the Blue Ridge.

Five. It’s a beautiful photo. We did not choose the image arbitrarily, though we did discuss the potential negative response to it, and weighed this image against other potential covers, as we do every issue. What we saw in the photo was a beautiful musician whose face reflects hard work, love and talent; all in a definitively non-glitzy setting.

Mattea has written this issue’s column, “The Mountains: My Hopes” about the conflict over mountaintop removal mining. Her words ended up unexpectedly appropriate:

“Everyone wants to be heard. But if we want to be heard, we must strive to hear. We must have the discipline to sit in an uncomfortable dialogue and try to keep from blaming or defending when the fear and anger rises up. It’s hard not to walk away from the table when emotions run high.”

Thank you for making yourselves heard. Thank you for reading the magazine and for caring about it enough to write us. We may make some people happy all the time, or all people happy some of the time, as the saying goes; the wonderful part about that is that it prompts dialogue, sometimes uncomfortable. We’re reminded of the importance of what we do and what we publish.

Our letters to the editor pages include responses to the cover. They also include letters from those who turned past the cover and instead replied to my last column’s question on regionalism. Those letters reflect an immense pride in and love for these mountains.

What is the power of Appalachia? Where is its beauty, besides in the trees and the waterfalls and the mountain peaks?

The answer: It’s in our people. Thank you once more for your heartfelt correspondence.

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