Bill Kinzalow is a coal miner, just like his father was. At the tender age of 20, Bill began his mining career with Jim Walter Resources (JWR) at No. 4 Mine in Brookwood, Alabama. Twenty-five years later, Bill is still at No. 4 Mine working as a Fire Boss/Pumper. But Bill has another passion besides coal mining. It's music and songwriting.

Early one-morning a couple of years ago, Bill was on his way to work when he heard a contest on a Birmingham, Alabama radio station. He called in and was chosen as the winner of a trip to Nashville for their International Country Music Fan Fair. The only problem was he had to be at the radio station by 10:00 AM, packed and ready to go and he was over 65 miles away. Bill had to scramble to arrange for a couple days of vacation from the mine, call his wife Gina, and to find a babysitter to make the morning deadline.

NASHVILLE CONNECTION
When Bill made it to Nashville, he met Fran Shaw from the organization that coordinated his winning radio trip. Bill began talking to Fran about his passion for music and his attempts at songwriting. She explained her husband Mel, was a record producer and writer headquartered in Nashville and later introduced them. Over the next several months and many telephone calls, Mel agreed to demo one of Bill's original songs. During these conversations, Mel learned of Bill's love of coal mining and how he felt that coal miners were often overlooked for their contributions to building America.

Mel then began writing and producing a CD entitled, "The Working Men and Women of the Mines." He obtained the rights to "Big Bad John" sung by Jimmy Dean* and two Johnny Cash* hits, "Nine-Pound Hammer" and "Dark As a Dungeon" to go on the CD. Mel also arranged for The Jordanaires, who backed up Elvis and Patsy Cline and are members of the County Music Hall of Fame, to record "Amazing Grace" along with six coal miners from JWR's No. 4 Mine. Next came many original tracks written by Mel as tributes to coal miners not only at Jim Walter Resources, but across the United States. Being a member of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, Mel called on several friends in the music industry and secured the rights to several popular mining songs from major recording artists in Canada.

JIM WALTER RESOURCES STEPS UP
The next step was to secure financial backing to make the tribute CD become a reality. Bill Kinzlow visited Dennis Hall, JWR's Director of Public Relations, and explained the project. "Over the years I have had numerous propositions for movies, television specials and the like," says Hall. "They all claimed how great it would be for the coal industry, then they would hit you up for the financing. It was all about the money. I have to tell you, I felt the same way about this deal the first time I heard about it. But after many visits by Bill and some inquiries of my own, I saw everyone involved was genuinely motivated by honoring coal miners and not just to make a quick dollar. Mel and Fran drove from Nashville to Brookwood several times to meet with me. When I saw how much of their time and their own money was invested in the CD, I realized how sincere they were in producing a true depiction of coal mining through music."

George Richmond, President and COO of Jim Walter Resources later met with Mel and Fran Shaw at CityFest, a two-day music festival and barbecue-cooking contest in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. As they dined on barbecue prepared by JWR's team, (which won first place in the chicken division) George expressed his interest and support. He echoed Bill's comments of the lack of appreciation for the contributions of the working men and women in the coal mining industry. During the following months, George made several suggestions and observations which were incorporated into the final version of the CD.

"Mr. Richmond has a long family history in coal mining and respects and understands coal miners and their traditions," states producer Mel Shaw. "He was very important in the creation of this tribute CD."

HOMEGROWN TALENT
As the project began to grow, another JWR songwriter became involved. Jimmie Hyche started work with Black Warrior Methane, a subsidiary of Jim Walter Resources in 1985. He has been writing songs for over 20 years and his "Brookwood to Birmingham" song about hauling coal by train fit perfectly into the 25 track CD. "It's the story of my grandfather working in the Brookwood coal mines at night and scratching out a living as a farmer during the day," Jimmie says. "I wrote the song after a visit to my grandfather's home and realized what a tough life he had during his younger days." Jimmie's songwriting also landed him on the nationally televised John Walsh Show where he performed one of his original songs. (Click here to read about Jimmie's appearance on the John Walsh Show)

One of the national anthems of coal mining is Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter." Kim Byram's father, Dale Byram, works for Jim Walter Resources and has been a coal miner all of his life. With this in mind, Kim was chosen to perform this legendary song on the tribute CD. Kim is no stranger to the entertainment world. She performed as a singer/dance coach for two years at Dollywood and has appeared on several television shows.

LORETTA LYNN'S RECORDING STUDIO
As an added bonus, Kim traveled to the Loretta Lynn Coal Miner's Daughter Recording Studio to record this song. The studio is located on Loretta Lynn's Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee, about an hour's drive west of Nashville. Accompanying Kim at the studio was Britt Payne, son of Paul Payne, a 25-year employee of JWR's No. 5 Mine. Britt, 20, is attending college on a music scholarship and played drums on the recording.

We hope this musical tribute will bring recognition and appreciation to each and every coal miner for the valuable contributions they make to our nation.

*Master tracks under license from Sony Music Custom Marketing Group, a division of Sony Music, a group of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.

Left to right: J.D. Jarrell, Kim Byram, John Jarrell, Britt Payne and Mel
Shaw take a break during the recording session at Loretta Lynn's studio.


Kim Byram, a true coal miner's daughter, sings Loretta Lynn's legendary
hit "Coal Miner's Daughter." Kim's father is Dale Byram, a JWR employee
and a coal miner since 1975.

Britt Payne, son a coal miner, plays drums during Kim's recording session.
His father is Paul Payne, a 25-year employee at No. 5 Mine.

This is the view from the hilltop where Loretta Lynn's recording studio
is located on her ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee.
 

COAL MINING COMPACT DISC WINS NATIONAL AWARD The State of Alabama Department of Industrial Relations submitted the "The Working Men & Women of the Mines" CD for a public outreach award.  Walter Cartwright, Acting Director of the Mining and Reclamation Division, submitted the nomination to the Interstate Mining Compact Commission's National Minerals Education Award.  A letter from the IMCC said, "The award reflects your dedication to educating the public on the vital connections between our valuable mineral resources and the many products and services Americans rely upon and enjoy each day."  The awards banquet will be hosted by Virginia Governor Mark Warner on April 27 in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Jim Walter Resources, Inc. - P.O. Box 133 - Brookwood, Alabama 35444   workings@jwrworkings.com