Ancestor Radio will provide the musical entertainment for a free wine and appetizer reception Tuesday, Dec. 5, kicking off the annual Operating Fund Drive for the Greenbrier County Public Library.

The reception, catered by Blackwell’s, is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. at the library in downtown Lewisburg. This kick-off event for the fund drive is hosted by the Greenbrier County Public Library Board of Trustees: Danny Boone, David Nalker, Terry Thompson, Sarah Skelding and Rich Ford.

Ancestor Radio features Susanna Robinson, Mike Clark and Andrew Ianni. They blend their voices with guitar, bass and accordion to offer a variety of musical selections, from jazz to traditional and from standards to originals.

Audiences have enjoyed hearing Robinson sing in the Lewisburg area for more than 25 years. She was a founding member of the jazz combo Ghost Town Swing. She returns to her jazz roots on occasion with the jazz trio Robinson, Hoffman, and Sellards. She has appeared on such radio shows as “Music from the Mountains” and “Mountain Stage.” Her musical tribute to entertainer Bricktop has become an annual event for Alderson Main Street.

Andrew Ianni plays guitar, bass and slide guitar. He is described as being gentle in spirit and strong in musical knowledge. He has played with bluesman Charlie Donelan and the rock band Sweety, and was a member of Crow Moon with Robinson.

Songwriter and musician Mike Clark has been part of several musical collaborations, including the Lewisburg-based New River Twain, the Fifth Dementia and Squawkin’ Henry. Robinson characterizes his songwriting as brilliant.

“We play under lots of different names,” Robinson said, “and have often changed our name every couple of gigs, just for our own amusement.”

And so, Ancestor Radio was born. “This name came from my penchant for digging up old photos of musicians, tin-types and other kinds, and thinking, ‘This is the music of the ancestors.’

“Ancestor Radio had a nice ring and rhythm, and was a take on transistor radio. I thought it kind of encompassed the old and new.”

This year’s fundraising goal for the Greenbrier County Public Library is $60,000. Fifty percent of the money the library receives from the state must be matched by public/private funds.

Donations designated for the Operating Fund may be sent to Greenbrier County Public Library, 152 Robert W. McCormick Drive, Lewisburg, WV  24901. More information about the fund drive or library services is available by calling 304-647-7568.