The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Today's Front Page

Related Photos

  • Rhonda Fox holds the CD she dedicated to the miners of the Upper Big Branch mines. F. Brian Ferguson

    song
May 24, 2010

Employee of MSHA records tribute song for 29 miners

By Mannix Porterfield Register-Herald Reporter

Rhonda Fox was taking a break from her duties as a secretary one day last month when she came upon a newspaper account of the rescue effort inside the explosion-scarred Upper Big Branch coal mine.

Suddenly, she felt led by the Holy Spirit to begin penning the words of her latest song.

Within minutes, the words and melody were dancing through her mind, and “The 29 Miners” is now on a compact disc, a tribute to the victims of the April 5 tragedy at the Raleigh County mine.

“It just came to me on my break,” said the 12-year secretary at the Mine Health and Safety Academy near Beckley.

“I’ll always think God gave it to me, really. When I read that newspaper story, I was so inspired. The song just came to me. I believe the Holy Spirit wrote this song for me because I, on my own, do not have the ability to do so.”

Her message in the song is that the work crew is now at peace in Heaven.

“I haven’t been able to get it to the families yet,” Fox said.

“I don’t know how to do that. I would like to give them a copy. It all started so fast. The song has a message that the miners are in a safe place and to comfort the families because from what I understand, all the families and the miners were true believers.”

As with most things these days, a shortened version of it wound up on YouTube, and there has been a significant number of hits.

Fox sent a copy off to Wal-Mart, hoping the huge retail chain can assist her in marketing the song. She also registered the song with BMI.

Fox not only penned the song but plays a keyboard and handled the lead vocal on the song. Backing her up with some harmony is a sister, Jane Benger, a longtime manager of Hatcher’s Music Store in Oak Hill, who handled the alto.

She managed to have the song recorded in a professional setting at Monty Price Recording Studio in Fayetteville, then went to the Hico residence of Butch McClung to add the bass and choir keys.

“It sounds more like a demo than anything,” she said.

Fox is no stranger to public performances, having appeared with some local bands, and sang for 10 years in church.

Public singing is an emotional strain, however.

“I cry when I sing my songs,” the Ansted resident said.

“That’s why it’s hard for me to sing in public. I sing every song where it takes me.”

She credits the Holy Spirit as the true author of her musical creations.

“I don’t feel like I’m worthy,” she sad. “Whenever I sing in public or at church, I always start crying.”

A woman in Richmond got wind of “The 29 Miners” and wanted a dozen copies. A co-worker was driving home and her 9-month old child began to cry. The woman popped in the CD and the child quieted down immediately, then smiled, Fox said.

Fox has been writing songs since 1971, and feels “The 29 Miners” might open doors to get them published, as well.

“I’m sort of overwhelmed,” she said.

“I said, ‘Oh, my, gosh,’ there’s no way I have of getting this out. That’s why I contacted Wal-Mart. Everyone who has heard it loves it.”

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com

Text Only
Today's Front Page
  • FvilleVigil1 Fayetteville candlelight vigil

    Community members and local chuch leaders gathered Sunday evening for a Memorial Day candlelight vigil at Huse Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Fayetteville.

    May 28, 2012 2 Photos

  • 52nd season for Outdoor Dramas to begin June 12

    Theatre West Virginia’s 52nd season will be “Where Legends Live,” focusing on bringing to life West Virginia’s history and local legends.

    May 28, 2012

  • W.Va. political leaders honor nation’s veterans

    From snow-laden Valley Forge to the battered walls of the Alamo, on the blood-stained beaches of the French coastline, in the frigid mountains of Korea and the steamy jungles of Vietnam, and the blistering sands of Iraq and Afghanistan, there is one constant: American heroism.

    May 28, 2012

  • Bodies believed to be missing family found in woods

    Four bodies recovered from a wooded area in Nicholas County near Carl, off Brushy Meadow Creek Road, Saturday are believed to be a missing family from Rainelle, reported First Sgt. Michael Baylous, public information officer for the West Virginia State Police.

    May 27, 2012

  • founder1 Founder’s Day celebrates city’s history

    Coordinators were pleased with the number of people who attended the fourth annual Founder’s Day at Beckley’s founding father’s estate, now the Wildwood Museum.

    May 27, 2012 2 Photos

  • auction NIE Auction and Flea Market coming Saturday

    With more than 200 items to be auctioned off and more than 100 flea market vendors, no one will have to go home empty-handed at Saturday’s 17th annual Newspapers in Education Auction.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo

  • wvsom WVSOM holds 35th commencement

    More than 170 freshly minted physicians walked across the stage Saturday morning during the 35th annual commencement ceremony at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

    May 27, 2012 1 Photo

  • Beckley’s Founder’s Day a success

    Coordinators were pleased with the number of people who attended the fourth annual Founder’s Day at Beckley’s founding father’s estate, now the Wildwood Museum.

    May 26, 2012

  • WVSOM has 35th annual commencement ceremony

    More than 170 freshly minted physicians walked across the stage Saturday morning during the 35th annual commencement ceremony at the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

    May 26, 2012

  • school A fun day at school

    Students who participated in a school fundraiser at Cranberry-Prosperity Elementary School sprayed their principal Becky Smith during a hot Friday. Smith was decked out in flippers, goggles and floaties during the fun. Smith paraded past students as they drenched her with water guns.

    May 26, 2012 1 Photo