Tyler Hughes to host First Saturday Community Coffee House

Big Stone Gap — The Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park will host its First Saturday Community Coffee House on Saturday, December 7, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tyler Hughes will serve as the featured host for this month’s Coffee House.

Tyler Hughes hails from Big Stone Gap, Virginia, where he began learning the traditions of mountain music and dance at age 12. His music is reminiscent of the traditions of early country music groups like The Carter Family and also pays tribute to the world influence on Appalachian music, especially those influences from the British Isles. He performs regularly, but also dedicates time to teaching through private lessons, camps and a variety of music classes as an adjunct professor at the Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap. Tyler is an accomplished square dance caller and flat foot dancer. He graduated from East Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies in 2015. His touring experience has taken him across the United States and recently, the Czech Republic. His recordings include "Wise County Jail" released in 2012 and "Travelin' Man" with the Empty Bottle String Band. He is currently working on a new album featuring coal mining music from across Southwest Virginia to be released in Spring 2020.

The First Saturday Community Coffee House is an open-mic event and is open to all family-friendly performers. All interested musicians, storytellers, and poets should arrive by 6:30 p.m. for sign-up and scheduling. Admission is free. Refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information, please call the Southwest Virginia Museum Historical State Park at 276/523-1322