First Voice Ohio

Kevin Richards, head of Cleveland Heights' Fairmount School of Music, launched Roots of American Music (ROAM) in 1999. It's a program that draws on the talents of his many musician friends to introduce area school kids to America's history and culture through its roots music. “Our focus is on the preservation of what roots music is, its diversity and ethnicity,” says Richards. “Everything is so homogeneous, but [through our programs] kids get exposed to zydeco, bluegrass, blues.” Now, more than a decade later, ROAM has expanded beyond classroom programs and school assemblies. Its current project is FIRST VOICE OHIO, a film that documents the oral histories, and live music performances of 16 Ohio roots musicians who have made significant contributions to jazz, old-time bluegrass, blues, and Appalachian folk music. Featuring such familiar Northeast Ohio players as saxophonist Rob Williams, blues singer Kristine Jackson, fiddler Bill Lestock, and blues singer-guitarist Austin Charanghat, FIRST VOICE OHIO demonstrates the vital role our region plays in roots preservation today. –B.B.