Mike Richards and Tim Webb are long-time friends turned music collaborators.

Mike Richards is a Dove award-winning songwriter and award-nominee. He has produced two albums which charted in Billboard magazine. He founded the Bluegrass Gospel group, The Chigger Hill Boys and Terri, and he co- wrote “Face to Face,” with Amazing Grace which propelled the act to number one on inspirational music charts. Although the bulk of his work is centered in the world of religious music, he has written music for movies and television and has had songs recorded by mainstream artists.

Tim Webb has worked in the pharmaceutical industry most of his life, but he is also a songwriter. He is a Melungeon descendant from Middle Tennessee, and now lives in Nashville. He’s been married for thirty years to his wife Beth, with three children and two grandchildren.

In this week’s episode, we explore the origins of Appalachian and bluegrass music and the possible connections to the Melungeon people, as well as feature for the first time on this podcast, a live musical performance.

Melungeon Voices is produced by Lis Malone (www.lismalone.com) and presented by the Melungeon Heritage Association.  For more information on the MHA visit them on the web at www.melungeon.org.