Dana Smith

The Musical Hayes Family of West Virginia Dana Smith

I have wanted to be able to pass along the talesof my family for a long time, as they were first told to me by my grandmother. Sheused to tell me these stories many times, and I sat mesmerized in adoration atthe life she put into retelling them. Both of her parents came from largefamilies composed of musicians, dancers, actors, and entertainers. There arestories that include vaudeville, Hollywood, and encounters with musical iconssuch as John Philip Sousa, HenryFillmore, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Red Nichols, Red Ingle, Art Mooney, Stan Kenton, Lawrence Welk, Harry James, Gene Krupa, Buddy Rich, Glenn Miller, Les Paul, VanCliburn, Elton John, and many others. All of these accounts trail back to a familywith a home base of Pricetown, West Virginia, in rural Wetzel County. The Musical Hayes Family of West Virginiabegins with my great-great-grandfather Henry Spencer Hayes, a violinist bornthere in 1858. It continues with the stories of many of his descendants,totaling 14 children, 32 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren, 147 2nd-great-grandchildren,107 3rd-great-grandchildren, and two recent family additionsbeginning the newest generation of 4th-great-grandchildren. A lot ofthese descendants inherited the genes and became musicians themselves. Althoughthese fascinating stories were originally intended for my family, those whoknew the Hayes family and anyone with a love of music and family will surelyfind an interest as well. The Musical Hayes Family of West Virginia is a family tree nurtured by love with roots deep inmusic. It is over 340 pages (92,700 words) in length and includes 268 family photos. All images are printed in black & white. This book is dedicated in loving memory to "MawMaw," Ruth Hayes Smith (1926-2006).