Appalachian Soul Revival
Appalachian Soul is a 501c(3) organization based in North Carolina committed to cultural preservation.
Appalachian Soul Revival performs a living blend of gospel, blues, and Americana rooted in the Southern Appalachians—where tradition, spiritual resilience, and community meet the present day.
Through performance, storytelling, and participation, Appalachian Soul Revival preserves cultural lineage and invites audiences into a shared musical experience.
What Is Appalachian Soul?
Appalachian Soul carries African rhythm, banjo origins, mountain ballads, and gospel power forward—not as a museum piece, but as living tradition.
It honors the past while speaking directly to the present, using music as a tool for connection, healing, and belonging.
This tradition is participatory by nature—built on call-and-response, shared rhythm, and communal voice.
Audiences don’t just listen. They join in.
Why This Matters:
Cultural Preservation
Honors overlooked roots of Appalachian music and keeps the tradition alive through lived performance and education.
Participation & Belonging
Call-and-response, rhythm, and shared singing turn audiences into community.
Mission-Ready Programming
Designed for schools, nonprofits, festivals, and arts organizations.
The Educational and Inspirational 75 minute Soul Revival Experience
A one-hour (or slightly extended) interactive session led by Datrian Johnson, built around storytelling, live performance, and participation.
Welcome & Context (10–15 min)
Appalachian lineage, gospel roots, rhythm, and cultural history.
Songs as Story (25–30 min)
Live performance with narrative bridges centered on resilience, spirituality, and community.
Participation (15–20 min)
Call-and-response singing, rhythm, and a shared “singing circle” moment.