Jennifer Henderson Brierly

Photographs ©1996 Malcolm J. Wilson

Jennifer Henderson Brierly's Appalachian heritage--both parents moved to Cincinnati from Kentucky--is an important part of her life now. But she didn't give it much thought until she was in her mid-twenties.  

"The first time I connected with it was when an old fellow sang at my church. He sang the old mountain-type tunes, and I was really drawn to it. I thought it was weird because I never liked country music, but I liked the music I was hearing. It made me cry.” 

“I started singing with him, and he said my voice was made to sing this kind of music, and that I had to be from Kentucky. I argued with him, of course." 

Perceptions of Home: The Urban Appalachian Spirit ©1996 The Urban Appalachian Council (now Urban Appalachian Community Coalition)

Photographs ©1996 Malcolm J. Wilson; Interviews ©1996 Don Corathers

Photographs digitized by the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library. Genealogy & Local History Department.