A Daughter’s Project To Remember Her Dad

A Bluegrass Pioneer:Ralph Pennington North Carolina’s Vivian Pennington Hopkins made it her mission to share the legacy of her late father, Ralph Pennington. In doing so, she orchestrated the recording of an album and two music videos that pay homage to her dad’s many talents. A gifted songwriter, musician, and luthier, he helped formulate the early sounds of the bluegrass genre, and it was his daughter’s desire to make today’s music community aware of his impact. Back to the Cabin in Caroline—A Tribute to Bluegrass Pioneer, John ‘Ralph’ Pennington, is a new release of mostly old material. Devoted to the memory of this groundbreaking North Carolina bluegrass musician, Hopkins’ project was a huge undertaking that spanned time, space, and personnel. It is more than just good bluegrass music performed by top-notch musicians; it is a history lesson in the early bluegrass music of western North Carolina, particularly Wilkes County, where she was raised. The tribute