For more than five decades, Shelia Kay Adams has carried the ancient ballad tradition of Madison County, North Carolina onto stages across the country and around the world. Rooted in the mountains of Marshall and Sodom Laurel, her voice connects past to present — family to community — story to song.
Now, for the first time, her life’s work will be gathered into a beautifully produced career retrospective: part documentary narrative, part oral history archive, part visual celebration of Appalachian music. The project will result in a first-edition hardcover book, a curated archival record of photos and oral histories, and a live ballad swap tour designed to carry this book and the work it represents to audiences nationwide.
Join the Launch Circle
The book and archive is being brought to life through our Launch Circle, and it will only happen with the early commitment of readers and supporters – so please help make this project happen. The project highlights Shelia Kay Adams not only as a tradition bearer, musician and author, but—most importantly—as a community builder, documenting is passing on the tradition to a new generation of artists who now gather around her to carry the music forward.
We are preparing to publish in Fall 2026, in conjunction with Shelia Kay Adams’ recent recognition as a recipient of the prestigious United States Artists Fellowship. The United States Artists Fellowship is one of the nation’s most respected awards supporting creative excellence across disciplines. Past honorees include some of the most influential cultural voices in American music, literature, and performance. The award recognizes both artistic achievement and lasting cultural impact.
In conjunction with this significant lifetime achievement you can help bring this book and archive into the world.
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