WORKINGS Bios of the Coal Miner Singers

COAL MINER SINGERS BIOS All of the singers are JWR No. 4 Mine Employees - click photos for larger image -
JIM BRACKNER Age: 44 Job Title: Fire Boss/Pumper & Safety Committeeman Years at JWR: 23, all at No. 4 Mine Previous Occupation: Built railroad cars Coal Mining Family History: Both grandfathers were coal miners Best part of my job: Fellowship with co-workers Musical experience: Sang with a small gospel group many years ago. Family: Wife, Nancy, daughters Kimberly, 15, Jennifer, 14 and Allison, 13 Hobbies: Raising quarter horses, fishing and hunting Home: Brookwood, Alabama	RODNEY T. WINSTON Nickname: Little Train Age: 45 Job Title: Outside Welder, President United Mine Workers of America Local 2245 Years at JWR: 22, all at No. 4 Mine Previous Occupation: North River Energy (coal mine) Coal Mining Family History: Father and grandfather were coal miners Best part of my job: Getting mine ready to run after a shutdown Musical experience: Sing in the St. John's Baptist Church choir Family: Wife, Vivian Hobbies: Reading and meditation Home: Duncanville, Alabama
BILL KINZALOW Nickname: Julio Age: 45 Job Title: Fire Boss, Pumper Years at JWR: 25, all at No. 4 Mine Previous Occupation: Coal Miner at Republic Steel - Berry, Alabama Coal Mining Family History: Father was a coal miner at Republic Steel Best part of my job: When the pumps are running well. Musical experience: Songwriter (Bill says he is a better writer than singer) Family: Wife, Gina, Billy, 19 and Beau, 16 Hobbies: Antique cars and fishing Home: Adamsville, Alabama	BOBBY THOMAS Nickname: Bobby T Age: 66 Job Title: Bottom Dispatcher (Retired January 2003) Years at JWR: 26, all at No. 4 Mine Previous Occupation: Republic Steel and route man for Barber's Dairy Coal Mining Family History: Bobby's wife and two sons worked at JWR at the same time Best part of my job: Closeness of the mining community Musical experience: None Family: Wife, Jimmie Ruth, Bobby Jr., 44, Bryan, 42, Missy, 40 and Barry, 32 Hobbies: Traveling, reading and gardening Home: McCalla, Alabama
TED JACKSON Age: 48 Job Title: Belt Cleaner Years at JWR: 23, all at No. 4 Mine Previous Occupation: Mobile home factory Coal Mining Family History: Step-father was a coal miner Best part of my job: Working by myself Musical experience: Sang in a church choir 10 years ago Family: Wife, Tammy, daughter Halley, 17 Hobbies: Swimming and the Internet Home: Cottondale, Alabama	STEVE HARRIS Nickname: Wildman Age: 48 Job Title: Roofbolter Years at JWR: 23, all at No. 4 Mine Previous Occupation: U.S. Steel Coal Mining Family History: None Best part of my job: Camaraderie Musical experience: None Family: Single Hobbies: Watching baseball and football on TV Home: Adger, Alabama
JANET McGIBONEY Nickname: Sugar Britches Age: 53 Job Title: Control Room/Responsible Person Years at JWR: 24 years Previous Occupation: Human Resources Coal Mining Family History: None Best part of my job: Interaction with everyone underground Musical experience: None Family: Husband, Larry; son Curt, grandson, Chase; stepson Brett, stepdaughter, Shauna & step grandson Ashton Hobbies: Doing anything on the river Home: Shelby, Alabama	MARY ALICE FRENCH SCALES Nickname: Baby Ray Age: 57 Job Title: Degas Driller Years at JWR: 25 Previous Occupation: Short Order Cook Coal Mining Family History: Father was a coal miner Best part of my job: Working safely with my co-workers Musical experience: None Family: Sons - Marvin French, Anthony Scales, Charles French; Granddaughter, Erin; Grandsons, Little Anthony, Tarrell & Domonique Hobbies: Music, dancing, yard work & cooking Home: Abernant, Alabama
CORA N. DORSEY Nickname: Baby Sister Age: 48 Job Title: Inside Labor Years at JWR: 24 Previous Occupation: Coal Mining Family History: Uncle Best part of my job: Co-workers Musical experience: None Family: Four brothers, daughter Shonteria, Tommy (sweetheart) & step son Jarred Hobbies: Going out to eat, flower arranging Home: Tuscaloosa, Alabama	BEVERLY NATION Nickname: Gail Age: 48 Job Title: Belt Cleaner Years at JWR: 24 Previous Occupation: Housekeeping Coal Mining Family History: None Best part of my job: Working under your own supervision Musical experience: None Family: Husband, Michael Nation, Sr., children: Renauld Smith, Donte Fitts, Michael Nation, Jr., Brandon Nation, Tiffany Nation, grandchildren; Donte Fitts, Jr.& Tomya Nation Hobbies: Sewing & flowers Home: Irondale, Alabama
SPECIAL THANKS TO GARY PRAZEN Gary Prazen wrote Track 6, The Canary, in honor of the little, yellow bird that saved countless lives in the early days of coal mining. Gary was raised in a coal mining town in Utah and grew up to become a world renowned sculptor. Gary Prazen loves the folklore and the characters that make up the mining industry and often depicts them in his work. From bronze sculptures of mining figures, Mr. Prazen’s work has grown to include pieces in museums, and private and corporate collections worldwide. Gary Prazen's web site: http://www.original-creations.com/ email: gary@prazenart.com Original Creations, Inc. 1310 West 2060 North Helper, Utah 84526	Today's Miner by Gary Prazen