“A Day Before Yesterday: Appalachia” the newly published book is a collective remembrance of Appalachia by photojournalist Kenneth Murray.
“It is like a walk through the past,” said Mike Smith professor of art and design. “Some of his pictures in the book are stunning.”
The book is a retrospective of all of Murray’s work. It is a collaboration of his photographs that range from photos in his first and second books to his most current work.
“Without a doubt Murray and the region have both changed since 1974, but the opposing perspectives of these two collections have not altered because they reflect eternal human conditions,” said Roberta Herrin, director of Center for Appalachian Studies, in her introduction to the book.
This documentary of the area and its inhabitants captures moments of coal miners in their element and the coal mining disaster in Hayden Kentucky that took 38 miners lives.
His photographs are taken in the mines, at the strikes and at the funerals of the lost miners. “I was in the area and shooting the mines during the time that they were news,” said Murray. “I was photographing the coal mines when the safety laws were changing. At the right place during the right time, you know.”
His documentary photos also depict some of the more intimate moments of life, such as river baptisms and faith healings in the Holiness Church of God in Jesus in Cocke County, Tennessee.
Murray portrays his subjects in a way that he wants them to been seen, as glorified or romanticized. “He uses a low vantage point to celebrate and transform his subjects into “big” standing tall subjects,” said Smith. “I think it is a genuine point of view since he appreciates his subjects.”
The black and white portraits are timeless according to Murray. “It gives the pictures a dated look, even though some of the pictures could have been taken yesterday if you look in the right places.”
The book is focused on the heart and soul of Appalachia, the people. “This is the sweat and brow of the Appalachia people,” said Smith. “Ken is obviously committed to his subjects and dedicated to attempting to document it.”
The life of Appalachia is Murray’s message. “I think it is important people have a message,” said Murray. “I found mine and this is it. Some people go to the Holy Land. I think this is the Holy Land. This place is worth protecting. This is my church.
“When I am here I get an up lifting feeling. I’m a believer in, not necessarily a religion, but a connection with the world. I’m in touch with life when I am standing on a ridge.”
Murray’s passion for Appalachia and photography is his muse the book. “I was very near sighted growing up,” Murray said. “I became infatuated with photography because everything was sharp.”
As a young boy Murray lived in Chattanooga and then moved into the suburbs leaving what was his paradise. “I think that is one thing my photos do, creating a nostalgic and sometimes romantic view of the area,” he said.
The Center for Appalachian Studies is the publisher of A Day Before Yesterday: Appalachia. Copies of the book are for sale on the CASS web page, or at the book signings and public speeches where Kenneth Murray will be attending.
The privatized publishers are unable to get the book on the shelves of the chain book stores. Only national publishers distribute to major outlet chain book stores.
“The intention of doing a book is to get it in the hands of readers,” said Murray. “The chains have taken over making it difficult for and an objective like mine to be accomplished.”
“We will promote every opportunity we have,” said Herrin. “Local and regional authors published by private or small publishers can’t get onto the shelves of the chains. That is the consequences of big businesses.”
Murray’s contribution to his art is appreciated by the CASS. “It is a really important retrospective of his work,” said Herrin. “It is important to keep the work in front of the community.”
Murray’s photos are all real, they are not staged or enhanced or modeled to create an idea or different image. They are genuine and an actuality. They are a recoding of Appalachia, and a documentation of where its people have come from.

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