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If Trouble Don’t Kill Me

2019-05-18 14:00:00 2019-05-18 15:00:00 America/New_York If Trouble Don’t Kill Me Virginia author Ralph Berrier will present on his book, If Trouble Don’t Kill Me, which follows the lives on Berrier’s family from the mountains of Virginia to the Grand Ole Opry. James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room

Saturday, May 18
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Add to Calendar 2019-05-18 14:00:00 2019-05-18 15:00:00 America/New_York If Trouble Don’t Kill Me Virginia author Ralph Berrier will present on his book, If Trouble Don’t Kill Me, which follows the lives on Berrier’s family from the mountains of Virginia to the Grand Ole Opry. James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library - Beth Patridge Meeting Room

James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library

Beth Patridge Meeting Room

Virginia author Ralph Berrier will present on his book, If Trouble Don’t Kill Me, which follows the lives on Berrier’s family from the mountains of Virginia to the Grand Ole Opry.

Clayton and Saford Hall were born in the backwoods of Virginia in 1919, in a place known as The Hollow. Incredibly, they became legends in their day, rising from mountain-bred poverty to pickin’ and yodelin’ all over the airwaves of the South in the 1930s and 1940s, opening shows for the Carter Family, Roy Rogers, the Sons of the Pioneers, and even playing the most coveted stage of all: the Grand Ole Opry. They accomplished a lifetime’s worth of achievements in less than five years—and left behind only a few records to document their existence. 
 
Fortunately, Ralph Berrier, Jr., the grandson of Clayton Hall and a reporter for the Roanoke Times, brings us their full story for the first time in IF TROUBLE DON'T KILL ME. He documents how the twins’ music spread like wildfire when they moved from The Hollow to Roanoke at age twenty, and how their popularity was inflamed by their onstage zaniness, their roguish offstage shenanigans, and, above all, their ability to play old-time country music. 
 
But just as they arrived on the brink of major fame, World War II dashed their dreams. 

Berrier follows the Hall twins as they travel overseas, leaving behind their beloved music, and are thrust into the cauldron of a war that reshaped their lives and destinies. Through the brothers’ experiences, the story of World War II unfolds—Saford fought from the shores of North Africa to Sicily and Europe and finally into Germany; Clayton fought the Japanese in the brutal Pacific theater until the savage, final battle on Okinawa. They returned home after the war to find that the world had changed, music had changed . . . and they had, too.
 
IF TROUBLE DON'T KILL ME paints a loving portrait of a vanishing yet exalted southern culture, shows us the devastating consequences of war, and allows us to experience the mountain voices that not only influenced the history of music but that also shaped the landscape of America.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Author Talks | All Alexandria Reads |

TAGS: | local author | family | authors | all alexandria reads |

James M. Duncan Jr. Branch Library

kpayne@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1705
Fax: 703.746.1785

Hours
We're closed Sunday March 31 due to Easter Sunday
Mon, Mar 25 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Mar 26 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Mar 27 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Mar 28 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Mar 29 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Mar 30 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Mar 31 Closed
(Easter Sunday)

About the branch

Parking: There is a small lot with 9 spaces.  On street parking is available.

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1.3 miles) and King Street Stations (1.5 miles)
  • Metrobus: 10A, 10B
  • DASH Bus: 33

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

Canceled
Sat, Mar 30, 1:30pm - 5:00pm
A live-action, pink, dreamhouse icon!

Mon, Apr 01, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Crawl, scoot and wiggle to Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months. Please note there will be no Baby Time on Monday April 22nd. Please choose one time to attend.

Mon, Apr 01, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Crawl, scoot and wiggle to Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months. Please note there will be no Baby Time on Monday April 22nd. Please choose one time to attend.

Mon, Apr 01, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Teen Area
Tabletop games where teens can socialize, learn tabletop games, and learn critical thinking and strategy. All materials will be provided. Ages 12-18

Mon, Apr 01, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
The Library is for the dogs! Does your 1st-6th grader want to practice reading with a dog? We have 3; 15 minute slots from 5:30-6:30PM. Come read with us! Please call to register. Ages 6-12

Tue, Apr 02, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Clap with glee for Stories and Songs! Perfect for toddlers and siblings. Come enjoy the fingerplay, songs and story-telling with us. Ages 0-5  

Tue, Apr 02, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Clap with glee for Stories and Songs! Perfect for toddlers and siblings. Come enjoy the fingerplay, songs and story-telling with us. Ages 0-5  

Tue, Apr 02, 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
In celebration of the All Alexandria Reads theme of Courage we are diving into different aspects of courage all month with themed stories and a craft. Ages 3+ with a caregiver. Recommended Ages 3-5

Tue, Apr 02, 5:00pm - 7:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Introducing the community to D&D through introductory sessions, one-shots, and campaigns. Depending on age range and attendance the groups will be organized by age. Registration required. Ages 12-18

Wed, Apr 03, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Need some zen to help you wind down after a long day? 🧘‍♀️

Thu, Apr 04, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Toddler Rock N' Read is out of this world with Mr. Josstin. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5

Thu, Apr 04, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Toddler Rock N' Read is out of this world with Mr. Josstin. Great for toddlers and siblings. Ages 0-5

Thu, Apr 04, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Do you have afternoons available? Join us at the library for some coffee, confections, and conversation about the newest titles on our shelves!

Thu, Apr 04, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Social group that focuses on nail painting and designs for members of the community. All materials will be provided. Ages 8-18

Thu, Apr 04, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
⭐ Please email Ally Zomchek at azomchek@alexlibraryva.org if interested in joining ⭐

Thu, Apr 04, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Teen Area
Both beginners and advanced fiber artists are welcome! Ages 12+

Sat, Apr 06, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
A workshop for those with green thumbs or want to learn! 🌱

Sun, Apr 07, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
A young punk recruited by a car repossession agency finds himself in pursuit of a Chevrolet Malibu that is wanted for a $20,000 bounty - and has something otherworldly stashed in its trunk.

Mon, Apr 08, 10:15am - 10:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Crawl, scoot and wiggle to Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months. Please note there will be no Baby Time on Monday April 22nd. Please choose one time to attend.

Mon, Apr 08, 11:15am - 11:45am
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
Crawl, scoot and wiggle to Baby Time! Fingerplay and songs for Ages 0-14 Months. Please note there will be no Baby Time on Monday April 22nd. Please choose one time to attend.

Mon, Apr 08, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Teen Area
Tabletop games where teens can socialize, learn tabletop games, and learn critical thinking and strategy. All materials will be provided. Ages 12-18

Mon, Apr 08, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
The Library is for the dogs! Does your 1st-6th grader want to practice reading with a dog? We have 3; 15 minute slots from 5:30-6:30PM. Come read with us! Please call to register. Ages 6-12

Mon, Apr 08, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Beth Patridge Meeting Room
The Friends of Duncan Library's Board Members discuss the Duncan Branch activities, fund raising actives supporting the Duncan Branch programs, collection needs and Alexandria Library community goals.