MEMORIAL 2

Being West Virginia

What People Are Saying About 

The Art of T. Paige

"Some people are born to translate life's struggles and beauty into art with every ounce of their being.  T. Paige Dalporto is one such person.  He brings the heart and soul of West Virginia to life through his music, poetry, acting, and impressionistic photography. He is West Virginia."  Annie Lindstrom, Talkupy on Blogtalkradio.com

“I loved-loved-loved your song (“Hawks Nest: Tunnel of Death”) for The Hawks' Nest Tunnel film. There is no way that song will NOT be in the film. It is incredible and so are you. Just want you to know how I appreciate you. You rock!” Mari-Lynn Evans Producer of The Appalachians on PBS (6 million viewers)

“Just reading the lyrics in your song makes me cry. Dear God, this song is great and you are a genius.” Judy Bonds, Coal River Mountain Watch, winner of the Goldman Prize, “The Nobel for Environmentalists” 

“This song says what I have tried so hard to put into words. I love it. You have outdone yourself again.” Maria Gunnoe, Coal River Mountain Watch, winner of the Goldman Prize, “The Nobel for Environmentalists”

"T. Paige, ‘The Soundtrack of our Movement’ (to save Appalachia’s mountains). One of the most eloquent songwriters around. There’s a real soul to what he sings.” Paul Corbit Brown, President, Keeper of The Mountains Foundation

"This is a great song." Denise Giardina, environmentalist, West Virginia gubenatorial candidate, author, “Storming Heaven”, “Saints and Villains” 

“You’re a poet. And not a bad one.” Don Marsh, the late Senior Editor-in-Chief, The Charleston Gazette 

"This song makes me proud to know you"....Sandy Wells, Columnist, Innerviews, The Charleston Gazette. 

 "I love your music."...Kate Long, veteran Singer/songwriter, Writer for The Charleston Gazette, WV Public Radio Producer

“Keep doing what you’re doing”...Kathy Matea, Nashville Recording Artist 

"You rock hard for one cat." Todd Burge, singer/songwriter

“I listened to your CD till 2 am last night. The first time I heard you play, I couldn’t wait to hear more. I knew I had to wait but eventually would get together with you to hear more. I knew, because of what you were doing...you were different, and I was struck by your uniqueness, passion, and the edginess in your playing and songs you weren’t like the rest. I really believe in your talent and I’ve listened to a lot of music and you rank up near the top.” Marcia Flannnery Griffith, Nashville Recording Artist, Singer Songwriter

T. Paige is a folk hero around here. He represents a LOT of music.” Louis Argento, Music Impresario, Charleston W.Va. 

“The most talented artist in WV.” Bob Henry Baber, Mountain Party candidate for U.S. Senate, Governor

“Your music is cool, real...”Dylan meets the Luminaires”...you should put out an album.” Wayne Killius, Nashville record producer, Session Drummer appearing on many hits

“A Voice who speaks up for the common folk”...Rebecca Park, Actress, Educator

“Dalporto's CD is a real gem...That sound is what makes him stand out among the ranks of West Virginia musicians. Dalporto is well on his way to making a big name for himself in the West Virginia music scene. Gripping lyrics, a classic."Matt Burdette, Editor, Graffiti Magazine 

“A piece that is at once both a song of defiance and tribute, T. Paige has found his voice. He reminds us that we cannot allow the continuation of the destruction of our beautiful pearl (WV) by out-of-state conglomerates. I think Pete Seeger would be very proud of the ‘passion to the people’ spirit of ‘The Pearl’”. Ross Ballard II, author, audio CD and compilation music CD.

“Here is the song that captures so much emotion, so much pain, and so much of the tragic story of what happened on that terrible day when 12 loving, hardworking miners were treated as “items” in a WV coal mine. That day the world got a glimpse of West Virginia’s epic fight against corporate greed.” For Church Bells at Sago...Ross Ballard 

“Mr. Dalporto is a many-talented artist, writing original songs for the just released audio book of ‘When Miners March’, along with publishing a very nice book that collects some of his poems and photographs. He loaned me a copy of his excellent paperback book, “It’s Still a Wonder Just Being Here” that includes poems written between 1981 to 1999. He took most of the photographs around his home in the upper Kanawha Valley between 1989 to 1999. All of the photos are beautiful, simple, and sincere. I particularly enjoyed the two color photographs of Smithers and Alloy. His poems are likewise beautiful, simple and sincere. Dalporto has traveled around the United States, living in Alaska, Nashville and other locations before returning home to Charlton Heights. He is active in the anti-MTR movement. He just received word that two of his works, “The Pearl” and “Railroad” have been accepted for publication in Blair Mountain Press' new book, due out this October---‘Coal: A Poetry Anthology.’” Steve Fesenmaier, former head of the West Virginia Library Commission Film Services 

“T. Paige is one of southern WV’s most creative artists. He is a great musician, recently writing and playing several songs for the soundtrack of the audio movie of When Miners March. Dalporto has traveled around the United States, living in Alaska, Nashville and other locations before returning home to Charlton Heights. He is active in the anti-MTR movement.” Steve Fesenmaier, former head of the West Virginia Library Commission Film Services

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For, “The Ballad of Shirley Jones”

"This song is about my Uncle Shirley. He died at the age of 18 from working in Hawks Nest." Rita Jones Hanshaw "Horrible tragedy, this song is amazing and totally captures how most of the people who worked in that tunnel must of felt." Tessa Colyer 8 months ago

“My grandmother is the daughter of Cecil Jones. She never knew her father as he died

along with his brothers before she was born. Until yesterday, her daughters and grandchildren were not really aware of this massive tragedy. Thank you to the people making the songs and films so we have more information about our past. This story MUST be told.” Patricia Daniels

rickietube1 "Wow, that's a great job on the song. I have been around the tunnel and I know of 4 locations where victims were buried, so I know what you are singing about. When does the film come out? This should be the theme song for the film." 

Shiny Shine 2 years ago

"My grandfather was Charles Jones. I am so proud that this tragedy is finally coming to light". Cary Curlee 1 day ago "Awesome song! I have my students read Hawk's Nest (a novel about the tunnel) in Intro to Appalachian Studies. I believe this story story needs to be told!"

For, “When You Go” "This song makes me proud to know you"....Sandy Wells, The Charleston Gazette. 

"I try and not cry at work. Beautiful!" Linda Petry Hospice of WV

"I love that song." Mike @ music@fourdogsmusic.co.uk

"I love this song. It is powerful. Anyone that truly cares about people will be affected by this song. You have stayed true to yourself a long long time Paige. It's time your work is recognized. Hopefully this song will be the beginning of something really good for you. You are a wonderful beautiful person Paige. I am so proud to know you and call you my friend...." Bo Webb CRMW

"Heartbreaking"...Vivian Stockman OVEC

 “Oh my, Paige, this will touch everyone who hears it. What a beautiful tribute!” Mary Caputi, MD 

“Very moving and tender tribute to the fallen Massey miners.” Tony Oppegard, Attorney for Miners’ Rights 

“Very, very, great song!!! Couldn’t take my eyes off if it! You got a winner there. Thank you for sharing. Loved it.”....Joe Youtube musician, viewer

My friends Carrie & MIchael Kline sent me the link to your YouTube video "Buffalo Creek" yesterday. I'm an attorney in Kentucky who has long represented coal miners and their families in safety-related matters. I am also a collector of coal mining songs. I have quite an extensive collection, so I already had your songs "Church Bells at Sago", "The Pearl", "The Ballad of Ma Blizzard" and "Kiss the Hills Goodbye". No offense, but "Buffalo Creek" blows them all away...! What a great song! I love the lyrics, as well as the passion in your voice and picking! Then, I checked out your other videos and found the clever "Massey's Farm" (I've always loved Dylan) and the great "Who Did This?" I love the raw power and emotion of all three of those songs!! You are certainly one of the most talented performers that I have seen on YouTube, and I appreciate you sharing

"Standing on my chair applauding. This is perfect. Had to subscribe after watching a bunch of your videos. Cheers." MisterNoHead

One of the top 3 songwriters in WV....John Blissard, Founder of Allegheny Echoes Old Time Music Festival and Camp 

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For: It’s Still a Wonder Just Being Here: Photographs and Poems

“Thank you for your lovely book. Both the poems and photographs are haunting and beautiful. I was very touched by your story.” Sylvia Nasar, author of, A Beautiful Mind, Columbia University, New York 

“This is one for the Mountain State to be proud of...beautifully printed.” Ken Sullivan, Ph.D., Executive Director, W.Va. Humanities Council, Charleston, W.Va.

“The delicate way the images inform the writing and vice versa...and the relationship between the two is both personal and striking.” Meredith Coeyman, Aperture Foundation, New York

“From big black coal cars that travel to heaven and ride among the stars, to his vivid descriptions of trees and West Virginia landscapes, this is one true example of turning coal dust into a real diamond of a book. The pictures are priceless, as well. Wait till you see where the Raven is sitting. I loved it. A real slice of Appalachia.” Patricia Syner, Educator, Fayette County, W.Va.

 “Every page is a gem.”..Gail Twigger, Twigger Shaw Design Source, Charleston, W.Va.

“This book makes me proud to be a West Virginian. The author demonstrates a true understanding of Appalachian life through his photography and a desire to live life to its fullest through his poetry. An Appalachian Prize”...Amazon.com customer, from Montgomery, W.Va.

For the film, Moving Mountains, by Penny Loeb 

The film, by Pulitzer finalist Penny Loeb, premiered August 21, 2014, to an excited and appreciative audience of 250 in Charleston WV, at the old Capital Theater.

“T. Paige was brilliant. An extremely talented actor and artist. I really enjoyed working with him.” Michael Alban actor, Moving Mountains 

T. Paige! This is unheard of!  A first time actor holding his own alongside an

accomplished  star like Theresa Russell!” Michelle Farrell, Chief Cinematographer, Moving Mountains

Awards

WV Press Association---Photojournalism

WV Writers---Poetry

Billboard Magazine---Songwriting 

Soundtracks

Moving Mountains

When Miners March with Hazel Dickens

Rise Up West Virginia

Blood On The Mountain contributor

Albums

Pearl  2006

T. Paige Collection  available late 2019