Keeping Shenandoah Valley Mountain Music Making Alive...

Asking for samples of our music? 
We heard you…

2023 Banjo Set - Family & Friends Bluegrass Festival… 
Link Here
2023 History of American Popular Music Williamsburg Library… 
Link Here
2022 Mountain Music Show #52 - It's a Lazy Day … 
Link Here
2022 Mountain Music Show #55 - I'm Satisfied with You & Blue Moon… 
Link Here

Mountain Music Television Series 
Through the Shenandoah Music Trail, a 501(C)(3) non-profit the series was produced and hosted by Don and Martha.  The Shows air over broadcast, cable, social media and DVD.  Our Mountain Music television series reached 1,420,245 households every week (81-weeks) for 115,039,845 Total Households. The shows aired all over Virginia and in NC, PA, OH, WV, MD, KY, IA, IN, IL and of course Maine. We recorded 64 TV shows, recorded 162 musicians and 633 songs for the Folklife archive collection at The Library of Congress. Our collection is reported by Library as the first of its kind since the Lomax collection in the 1940s.  We were awarded grants from Virginia Tourism, Virginia Commission for the Arts and Virginia Humanities.  The shows are currently in re-runs around the World.   Links to all 64-Shows - Call Martha 540-209-3540
Me & Martha are off to 2023 IBMA World of Bluegrass
We are set to play on the Bronze Wound Showcase and Don is co-hosting the Bluegrass Banjo Workshop and we now have updated business cards…

Friday, May 5, 2023 - 3:30-4:30pm 
History of Shenandoah Valley Roots Music (adult)
Churchville Branch Augusta County Library - 3714 Churchville Ave. Churchville, VA
     An afternoon of music featuring the musical instruments and songs associated with the Shenandoah Valley's rich musical legacy from the early settlers to today!  Showcasing the Mt. Dulcimer, Autoharp, 5-string Banjo, Guitar, Dobro, Mandolin, Fiddle and Bass Fiddle.  Songs will include bluegrass standards, folk, rural swing, and classic country. 
     Library 540-245-5287
     Me & Martha 540-209-3540

NICE REVIEW of what we do…
Every time Don and Martha come to play at Churchville Library the crowd gets bigger...and bigger. We have to use all of our chairs and entire program space to accommodate the crowd! The last program Don and Martha put on was our "Bluegrass Zoo" program; intended for children to have access to bluegrass music and instruments. This was an astounding success. Eleven children had their minds opened to the power of music. It was heartwarming to watch some of my smallest regular patrons become entranced by the music, the moving strings, the rhythm and the sounds. Reviews from the children after the program included that it was "awesome" "it was cool" and when asked if they would want to come again all responded with a resounding "yes!".  Martha and Don make sure that they are accessible to our rural communities, bringing otherwise unavailable resources to our community. Don and Martha are inspiring future generations of musicians and bluegrass aficionados. 
Thanks again and as always for your contributions to Churchville and the community!
Hannah Lickey, MLIS 
Churchville Branch Manager and Children's Librarian

Tuesday, July 18, 2023 - 5:30-6:30pm 
Bluegrass & Mt. Music Instrument Zoo (children)
Churchville Branch Augusta County Library - 3714 Churchville Ave. Churchville, VA
Summer Fun.  All ages welcome!  The Musical Instrument Petting Zoo offers budding musicians (the young and young at heart) a chance to be introduced to new and familiar bluegrass instruments.  The program begins with some songs and a presentation by Donald DePoy and Martha Hills, professional musicians performing as Me & Martha. Not only a master musician, Don holds a Ph.D. specializing in American Music and teaches bluegrass instruments at Eastern Mennonite University.  After their 30-minute program, they will offer guidance as you try your hand at joining in the fun of making your own music with some rhythm instruments.  
     Library 540-245-5287
     Me & Martha 540-209-3540

Me & Martha is Virginia Living's 
Top Wedding Live Band for 2023!

We got the exciting news and we were awarded Top Wedding Live Band for 2023 - 
That's 2 years in a row.  Checkout our FaceBook page for more information: 
www.facebook.com/meandmarthamusicduoorband

 


 

On our 2023 Maine tour - 
August 10, 2023, Thursday 7-8:30pm
Belfast Free Library
   106 High St. Belfast, ME
Me & Martha return to Martha's hometown for a lively performance with stories of our adventures on the road, funny songs and lighthearted entertainment.   

On our 2023 Maine tour - 
August 18-20 - Saturday Concert and Neck Mastery Workshop Time
13th Annual Friends & Family Bluegrass Festival,
    2640 N. Palermo Rd, Palermo, ME    
A family-friendly festival featuring local talent, food and more.  

Back to Virginia

September 16, 2023, Saturday (All-Day Event)
Appalachian Festival  
Frostburg, WV
See Calendar

 

We finished out 2022 with 193 concerts
We sure have had some great musical opportunities and would love to see you at some of our upcoming shows!  
Come if you can and if you can't please pass along.

September 24, 2022, Saturday 5:00-7:00
Wisteria Farm and Vineyard,
     1126 Marksville Road, Stanley, VA.  540-742-5215
Music Under the Arbor with Me & Martha and surprise guest musicians!  Yes, we are back for an encore performance.  Beautiful scenes with a glass of wine and some great music.   

Checkout our FaceBook page for more information: 
www.facebook.com/meandmarthamusicduoorband

 

Me & Martha is Virginia Living's
Top Wedding Live band for 2022!
 

Mountain Music Exhibit at RR Smith Center Museum for History & Art was a GREAT Success
Staunton, VA  

“Music & Miniatures of Note In The Valley” is a whimsical pairing of the region’s musical stories with miniature scenes from the Valley’s past. The Shenandoah Music Trail is directed by Don DePoy and Martha Hills (aka Me & Martha) and miniature history dioramas created by Gary Whistleman. 

The exhibit will feature a collection of instruments, music artifacts and showcasing active musicians currently playing in Augusta County. The dioramas capture events of the Valley and past events. 

http://ShenandoahMusicTrail.com

 

 

January 28, 2021
Newspaper Article from The Daily Progress (Charlottesville)

2021 More EXCITING NEWS!
Mountain Music Television Series hosted by Me & Martha
Starting August 16, 2020 The Shenandoah Music Trail has been producing Mountain Music, a weekly half-hour television series airing Sunday mornings at 8am on WHSV Valley Fox in Harrisonburg, Virginia Channel 43.1 and every Sunday morning at 10am over WVAW ABC16 in Charlottesville, Virginia Channel 16.  If you can't view these shows send us and email and we will send you links to a few shows.  Here's a Link to Show 25

EXCITING News Don has a Wiki page!

Don has a Wikipedia Listing!  He was contacted by a Wiki editor and asked if he wanted a Wiki listing... a few emails later PRESTO!

2020 Bookings Cancelled by CoVid19

2020 Mountain Music Television Series

We knee-deep in 2020 and All of that came to a halt in early March.  Since that time we have been developing and producing a new television series, Mountain Music.  The shows are available by Subscription and beginning August 16th will be airing over WHSV Valley's Fox Channel 43.1.     We are exploring options to keep this website up to date and we will when we can. 
Best to keep up with us on FaceBook 
Don DePoy 
Martha Hills 
Me & Martha

High Note for 2019 - 243 performances

EXCITING NEWS:  
On Wednesday, October 30, 2019 at 3pm Me & Martha played our 2500 concert.

Well it's official!  At the end of 2019 we performed 243 times from Maine to North Carolina.  These performances include: house parties, festivals, churches, senior residential and day facilities, libraries, public and private schools, street performances, weddings, historical societies, Maine wind-jammers, restaurants, jams/workshops and college classrooms.  And with all this, Martha and Don spent mid-May to mid- September aboard their 37' sailboat Rosie and volunteered for Stockton Springs Youth Sailing Program, Friends & Family Bluegrass Festival Concert and two workshops, Blister Fingers Bluegrass Festival Youth Performance Program and a fund-raising concert for the Holbrook Island Sanctuary.

Me & Martha   a.k.a  Don DePoy & Martha Hills

Twitter version: 
Me & Martha are keepers of the flame of ‘real’ music, national treasures of America’s Mountain Music, a treasure trove of musical memorabilia, great story tellers with exceptional musical talents and are endlessly entertaining.

Martha and Don are married to each other and live in the Village of West View in Swoope, Virginia.  Martha Hills and Don DePoy enthusiastically bring Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley Music to the world. You’ll be quick to notice they embrace life and love to make music.  Me & Martha plays Americana Rural Roots Mountain Music, which includes American fiddle/banjo traditions, blues, old-time string band, sea shanties, work songs, hillbilly, traditional and classic country, bluegrass, rural swing, and contemporary folk ballads.
     Using  mountain dulcimer, 5-string banjo, autoharp, guitar, Dobro, mandolin and bass fiddle, the duo continues the centuries old music making tradition of taking a little of this and that creating a fusion of whatever musical genres seem to fit effectively to create a fresh approach to the music.    
     Steeped in the tradition of improvised performing art, Me & Martha creates a space where everyone can experience musical art as unfolding stories. Many of Me & Martha’s signature songs explore the universal themes of everyday life. On stage, Martha and Don captivate audiences with spontaneous and often amusing banter and backed up by amazing vocal and instrument virtuosity.
     Don is a 5th generation music maker from the Shenandoah Valley and holds a PhD specializing in American Music and Popular Culture and a Master's in Education (MEd).  Martha is an early childhood educator (BA) with over 15 years in private and public education.

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Previous events

Me & Martha Concert - FREE EVENT

 —  —

Chiles Peach Orchard and Farm Market, 1351 Greenwood Rd, Crozet, VA 22932

Me & Martha Concert on Stage - A day at the orchard is already a joy, and talented local musicians Me & Martha bring a whole new level of energy! We invite you to shop the Farm Market, pick seasonal fruit, and kick back with an ice cream cone or glass of Carter Mountain Wine to enjoy there wonderful performances.

Appalachian Heritage Festival - FREE EVENT

Frostburg University , 101 Braddock Road, Frostburg, Maryland

Me & Martha Concert 12:40pm, Bluegrass Jam 2:40pm-4pm, Neck Mastery Workshop 4-5pm - Here's MORE... On Saturday, September 16, you can enjoy free music and activities on campus including Regional Music, Bluegrass, Old-time String band, Community Brass Bands, Appalachian Traditional Dance, Traditional Arts and Crafts, Cultural Programs, Appalachian Food, Children’s Activities, Scales and Tales, Local Artisans, Environmental Education & More!

May29

Mountain Music Television Series hosted by Me & Martha

WVAW - ABC Ch 16 Charlottesvile, VA

Thus, the Trail's "Mountain Music Show" television series was born, continuing strong to this day. Now a weekly series, the series is broadcast direct to audiences through multiple online television stations.

May22

Mountain Music Television Series hosted by Me & Martha

WVAW - ABC Ch 16 Charlottesvile, VA

Thus, the Trail's "Mountain Music Show" television series was born, continuing strong to this day. Now a weekly series, the series is broadcast direct to audiences through multiple online television stations.

May15

Mountain Music Television Series hosted by Me & Martha

WVAW - ABC Ch 16 Charlottesvile, VA

Thus, the Trail's "Mountain Music Show" television series was born, continuing strong to this day. Now a weekly series, the series is broadcast direct to audiences through multiple online television stations.

May8

Mountain Music Television Series hosted by Me & Martha

WVAW - ABC Ch 16 Charlottesvile, VA

Thus, the Trail's "Mountain Music Show" television series was born, continuing strong to this day. Now a weekly series, the series is broadcast direct to audiences through multiple online television stations.

May1

Mountain Music Television Series hosted by Me & Martha

WVAW - ABC Ch 16 Charlottesvile, VA

Thus, the Trail's "Mountain Music Show" television series was born, continuing strong to this day. Now a weekly series, the series is broadcast direct to audiences through multiple online television stations.

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