Stoneman Brought Bluegrass to Franconia

The recent passing of Roni Stoneman, long-time star performer on the nationally televised “Hee Haw” series, brought back memories of the difficulties of the Depression and World War II eras in Franconia for her family and neighbors. The Stoneman’s lived along the RF&P railroad tracks from the mid-1930s to the early 1940s.

Ernest (Pop) Stoneman, his wife, Hattie Elvina Frost Stoneman and a family that eventually included 13 children, moved here from Galax, in southwestern Virginia. They brought with them a form of mountain music called Bluegrass that became a hit that is still popular today.

Pop and Hattie were married in 1918, when they began playing music for the enjoyment of family, friends and neighbors. That led to notoriety, record contracts and a blossoming career. The Depression ended those dreams, and Pop headed to the Washington, D.C., area in search of work. Hattie and the children soon followed when Pop found work as a carpenter, and eventually regular employment at the Naval Gun factory.

Donna, who would later join Roni as female leads in a family band, was born in Alexandria in 1934. As of this writing, she is the lone remaining living family member. Roni was born in 1938 in Washington, D.C. The 1940 Census records show the Stoneman’s living in Franconia, then part of the Mount Vernon District. As the family grew, Pop made musical instruments for each of the kids, and they were all instant hits at local gatherings. Members of the family performed at local clubs, including Ward’s Corner on Franconia Road, sometimes playing for leftover food. There, they joined with such stars as Roy Clark, Jimmy Dean and Grandpa Jones to elevate Bluegrass to the top music charts.

Times were tough back then. Mom made clothes for the kids while Pop worked. Both played music in what little spare time they had. Houses were small in Franconia in those days, and Roni wrote that she remembered sleeping crossways on a bed with four or five of her siblings. The Stoneman’s and other neighbors picked up coal that had fallen off passing railroad cars to use as heating fuel. The family moved to suburban Maryland where Pop built them a house. They became popular entertainers in area clubs, especially The Famous at Twelfth Street and New York Avenue in the District. There they played for tips, asking fans to support the group by putting coins in what they called “The Pot to Pitch In.” One night, Roni recalled, they collected 56 dollars.

The Stoneman’s then appeared on national stages, including Disneyland in California. and the Grand Old Opry in Nashville. Roni then became a TV star while Donna concentrated on religious venues. They often appeared together with Roni on banjo and Donna playing the mandolin. Because of their musical popularity, the Stoneman’s were able to recover more quickly than others from the dark days in Franconia history. Others took longer, but hard work paid off, and our ancestors were able to leave behind a thriving community that we enjoy today. The Museum’s Franconia Remembers book series records those stories, as told by those who lived through them. The books are only $10 each and can be ordered online at franconiamuseum.org or by clicking on e-store.

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FRANCONIA REMEMBERS:
This is one of the Franconia Museum’s occasional articles highlighting the area’s history. If you would like a friend to receive these FREE articles, contact us at franconia.museum.newsletter@gmail.com. Memberships are also encouraged, so that we can continue our work. The Museum is in the Franconia Government Center, currently located at 6121 Franconia Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22310. The hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization, as approved by the Internal Revenue Service.