Becks is a queer scholar and musician, focusing their work on community engagement and placemaking through music, organizing, and agriculture. As a musician, Becks works to create events that bridge the divisions in communities. Their scholarship focuses on queer Appalachian music and the importance that music traditions hold, both in Appalachian communities and the queer community. Their Master’s thesis, “Queer Musicking in Appalachia: An Exploration of Space, Place and Identity Through the Lens of Traditional Music and Dance,” is now available for your viewing here. 

Becks is also the Director of Operations for Stateline Resource Station, a flood relief organization in Western North Carolina that they co-founded with Valentine Reilly in the wake of Hurricane Helene. In this role, Becks coordinates with boots on the ground Case Management and works to administer and apply for grant funding to further the recovery efforts in Western North Carolina, Eastern Tennessee, and Southern Virginia.

Abbie McAllister is a new name; a rising singer-songwriter born and raised in West Virginia. She started her journey of original music playing on the porches of local small businesses and beneath pop-up tents on farm properties within the local region. Blending rock n roll, blues, grunge, and folk music, Abbie brings honesty and newness to stages with just her and a guitar.