I've heard of the Purple Fiddle in Thomas. http://www.purplefiddle.com/ One of the great but obscure nearby folk venues. Sort of like Oddfella's in Floyd, Virginia.

I think some Mudcatters (gutbucketeer?) have even played there.

I've passed through Thomas frequently, but never stopped at the Purple Fiddle, probably because I'm trying to get to a destination farther South on US 219. The surrounding area is also home to the Mountaineer Wind Energy Center, a fascinating array of wind turbines, some quite close to the road. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Windturbines_thomas_WV.jpg)

--Charlie Baum