‘Spirit of the mountains'

By TIM PRESTON
The Independent

ASHLAND January 28, 2008 11:55 am

— A rare individual with a way of making people feel good about themselves and what they do, Nancy McClellan is destined to be remembered in art, songs and stories.
McClellan, of Ashland, had no idea she would be spending her recent 75th birthday surrounded by a standing-room-only crowd of musicians, writers, artists and others who value her influence on their lives.
Following a career, which included 40 years as an instructor at Ashland Community College and volunteer work to organize local music festivals, those who were able to make it to her surprise birthday party at the Ann Davis Gallery were quick to point out they represent only a small percentage of those who hold her in highest esteem.
“Years from now folklorists will look back, and there will be fiddle tunes named for her and songs and poems honoring her. She is kind of the heart and soul of music around here. I think of her as the patron saint of the music world of Kentucky, West Virginia and southern Ohio,” said John Harrod, who added, “And, she is a wonderful poet. I would love to see her poetry collected and published.”
“Nancy stands at the top of the mountain surrounded by friends and loved ones. She is in first place when it comes to being a loving soul who has nurtured and made a place for old-time music, folk music and art and she has touched the life of everyone she’s met,” said fiddler Bobby Taylor, who met McClellan shortly after first putting a bow to strings. “I consider her basically to be the queen of old-time music. She is one of the great ladies of the great state of Kentucky. For me, she is the greatest.”
Speaking of the musical gatherings at her home, Taylor said McClellan has made a point to keep a tape recorder running throughout every session.
“She has so many recordings. She didn’t just record the music, she recorded all the gossip and stories too. She is interested in every aspect of these musician’s lives and that makes her the most integral part of the music itself,” he said.
Joyce Newsom, who has known McClellan since childhood, said “Nancy sort of embodies the spirit of the mountains here. She has more friends than anybody I know. I have truly never met anyone like her.”
Newsom said her friend’s enthusiasm for Appalachian culture and heritage is only natural.
“She grew up with storytelling and old traditional music at home — and she got me into it,” Newsom said, citing McClellan’s role in helping to organize the Mountain Heritage Folk Festival and her continued hosting of informal “pickins” at her home. “She’s just always been involved with traditional music and mentoring younger musicians through the college. She has music in her life two or three nights a week.
McClellan received hundreds of birthday cards from former students, fellow instructors, friends and admirers nationwide, she said.
“I have truly never met anyone like her. Apart from music, she is just in love with living,” Newsom said. “She has a zest for getting all she can out of life. She is just so giving and because of that she has all these very, very loyal friends.”
Charlie Bowen, who won his wife Pamela’s heart during one of the many “pickins” at McClellan’s house, recalled stories from his former teacher’s time at “The Catacombs,” which was the coffee house she helped establish at Ashland Community College. Regardless of the individual experience or talent of any performer at the coffee house, Bowen said McClellan always offered her personal encouragement.
“She is always the first to recognize talent. She will hear in people things other people won’t hear,” he said. “It is like building fire with green wood — everybody else sees smoke, she sees fire.”
As an instructor, Bowen said McClellan was an inspiration.
“There were things she said in class I still remember and that was 40 years ago,” he said with a grin.
Ernie Tucker, who also worked at Ashland Community College during McClellan’s time there, said they became “fast friends” due to a mutual love of Appalachian culture, even though their specific interests were often distinctly different. As an instructor, he said McClellan brought something special to her classroom.
“Nancy was a spectacular teacher. Everybody loved her. She had an absolute enthusiasm for what she was doing,” he said, remembering the way she presented slide shows regarding art history. “She would pore forth everything she knew. Students were absolutely mesmerized by her explanations and simply by what she had to say, her enthusiasm for cultures Appalachian and around the world. Everybody here will tell you she is their inspiration.”
Sitting quietly near the back of the audience gathered around the largest group of musicians during McClellan’s birthday party, Polly Judd smiled and said they have an abundance of mutual friends.
“Nancy brings an awareness of the great things that go on in our town,” Judd said. “She opens a lot of doors to a variety of things for real people. Her strength is she draws from the humanity of everything she sees and hears.”
Taking a short break from the musical circle, Rob McNurlin said he cherishes memories of McClellan and her late husband Harvey.
“She just loves music and is the musicians best friend,” McNurlin said. “As soon as you meet her she is one of your best friends. I think she is at every show I do. If there was a million Nancy McClellans in the world all us musicians would have it made.”
Among the younger musicians in the birthday party crowd, Sasha Collette said she has only known McClellan briefly but considers her a close friend.
“I am a big fan of traditional music and being around the people who gather at her place has helped me grow some roots,” Collette said with a shy smile. “Her house is a melting pot of all the good in the region.”
Science teacher Charlie Howes spoke in almost reverent tones about McClellan’s time in the classroom.
“When she was teaching she always inspired people to look at things artistically and culturally. There are probably 2,000 or 3,000 who had their lives enriched with an appreciation of art and music they may not have had if it hadn’t been explained by her because she’s a one-in-a-million person. She lives art and music,” he said. “She wasn’t just a teacher.”
Joann McCoy, who traveled from Florida to attend the surprise party, was one of McClellan’s many students.
“Nancy taught English and literature and art appreciation. She was a fabulous instructor and a friend to just about every student,” she said. “I’m sure she’s still got friends from every class she taught.”
Singer and songwriter Luna said, “This is just a small group of people who would be touched by Nancy. Look around at the ages of the people here tonight. She is a great supporter of music and the arts, and not just in one genre — she loves everything from bluegrass to the blues.”
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.

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