Born December 20, 1951, Bobby McMillon (Robert Lynn McMillon) grew up in Lenoir and Green Mountain, North Carolina. He was a ballad singer and storyteller who performed widely at regional and national festivals, including the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. One important focus of McMillon’s research and performances was the Frankie Silver story, and he wrote, sang, and shared the story in various formats over the years, including the film, “The Ballad of Frankie Silver” in 1996. Bobby McMillon possessed a deep interest in the history and culture of Southern Appalachia, and he collected versions of songs and stories from the region, including from his own family. He also researched the genealogy of many of the region’s families. McMillon wrote songs, stories, non-fiction pieces, plays, and movie treatments, in addition to his song and story collecting and research. All these interests informed his teaching in the schools, as well as workshops for adults. His work was recognized with a North Carolina Heritage Award in 2000. Bobby McMillon passed away on November 28, 2021.