Fairmont State’s Folklife Center to Host Musical Memorial for Beloved Local Musician Robert Lackey

The Frank and Jane Gabor Folklife Center will host the Robert Lackey Memorial Jam on Sunday, March 3 from 2-6 pm. The Folklife Center is located on Squibb Wilson Boulevard on the campus of Fairmont State University. This event is free and open to the public. 

Robert Lackey was a beloved dulcimer and guitar player based in Fairmont, West Virginia. He performed locally with the Kennedy Barn String Band, taught dulcimer lessons, and co-founded the “Wartz ‘n All” Dulcimer Festival, a gathering aimed at getting novices and advanced musicians together to learn, swap songs, and jam. Lackey passed away in December 2023, and his friends knew they wanted to honor his memory with a jam session. 

“Robert’s musical partners in the Kennedy Barn String Band wanted to set aside a time to share memories about him and jam,” said Folklife Center Director Lydia Warren. “Since the Folklife Center was Robert’s musical home base for the last decade, we felt it was right to host it here and open it up to the public.” 

All are welcome to share stories and memories about Robert Lackey and jam on Sunday, March 3 from 2-6 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own instruments. There will be light refreshments.