‘The Best of Story Sessions’ album set for release May 19

The Pocahontas County Opera House is excited to announce the release of “The Best of Story Sessions” album on May 19. This album celebrates the most memorable moments from the Story Sessions series, highlighting the incredible talent of emerging artists and their inspiring stories.
Starting May 1, we will release a “best of” video every day for 30 consecutive days. Each video will showcase the remarkable artistry of each featured artist from the album, allowing fans to appreciate the talent and stories behind the music.
The Story Sessions, a popular series on Facebook and YouTube, has garnered a dedicated following. Each episode introduces an artist and their personal story, accompanied by an intimate musical performance. Ryan Krofcheck serves as executive producer and host, while Emily Chen-Newton produces the accompanying Story Sessions Podcast. The podcast offers fans a deeper connection to their favorite artists through behind the-scenes conversations that illuminate their creative process and personal journey.
“We are thrilled to release ‘The Best of Story Sessions’ album,” says Ryan Krofcheck. “This album pays homage to the incredible artists who have appeared on our series over the years. We hope their stories and music will inspire and delight our listeners.”
Many of the artists on the album share a special bond with Pocahontas County, particularly the Opera House, a long-standing center for traditional music that has hosted numerous performances by celebrated musicians. Several artists recount their experiences with the Hammons Family, a local legendary family of old-time musicians whose music was extensively documented in the 1970s and even released as an album by the Library of Congress.
Emily Chen-Newton, the podcast producer of Story Sessions, says, “The Story Sessions is more than just a series. It’s a community of artists and fans united by their love for music and storytelling. We are grateful for their support and eager to continue producing engaging content.”
“The Best of Story Sessions” album was made possible through the generous financial assistance of The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History, The Snowshoe Foundation, The Pocahontas County Convention of Visitors Beau, and The West Virginia Humanities Council. This project is presented with financial assistance from the West Virginia Humanities Council, a state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations do not necessarily represent those of the West Virginia Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities.
The album will be accessible on all major music streaming platforms. Fans are encouraged to explore the complete Story Sessions series on Facebook or YouTube and listen to the Story Sessions Podcast for more exclusive stories and discussions with their favorite artists.
“We can’t wait to share ‘The Best of Story Sessions’ album with the world and hope it brings joy and inspiration to our listeners,” says Ryan Krofcheck.