Sherman Hammons was born 9/9/1903 and died 9/3/1988 six days short of
being age 85. . In my travels in Pocahontas County the name of the Hammons
family was frequently mentioned, particular, for their folk music
performances. I happened upon Mr. Hammons outside his abode along the
William River road. It was morning. If I ever met a more interesting
person I don’t remember it. He had a character hard to describe—a twinkle
of the eye, a glance off as to capture a thought or more of your
attention, countenance, the appearance of lackluster, yet one could tell
that he could entrap you with coyness, capturing your imagination and then
tie you to his every word. He appeared to be just a common man, but he was
everything but common. His works and his family works in folklore and
music appear and are available from the Recorded Sound Section, Music
Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540, Card number
73-750550. Other CD recordings can be purchased from outlets in Pocahontas
County at a store in Hillsboro, W.V. Several current Bluegrass and folk
music players spent time with him on the Williams River road learning to
play his music.
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