Honoring West Virginia’s Musical Legacy with Bob Brunner

In this episode of the Kanawha Valley Hustlers podcast, I talk with Bob Brunner about the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame. He shares that they are preparing for their 10th induction ceremony in April, with tickets available at different levels, including an exclusive event at the governor’s mansion. The Hall of Fame, founded by Michael Lipton 23 years ago, honors musicians from West Virginia, including country, classical, and even Hollywood figures. Bob explains how the museum ended up in the Charleston Town Center Mall, filling empty retail space with memorabilia donated by inductees. Visitors can see instruments, posters, and rare records while learning about the state’s musical history. He highlights this year’s inductees, including a Lincoln County songwriter with 35 number-one country hits. When I ask about his favorite West Virginia musician, Bob names Blind Alfred Reed, who wrote songs about hardship in the 1920s and 30s. Before wrapping up, he points out that a tribute album to Reed is available at the museum. I thank Bob for sharing his insights and remind listeners to hustle hard, hustle smart, and hustle with a smile.