[John Denver sings] "Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River. Life is old there, older than the trees, younger than the mountains . . ."

Narrator: In the early 1970s, a song that praised West Virginia as "almost heaven" became a popular hit. For many West Virginians, John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" reflected a feeling that West Virginia had at last turned the corner, that hard times were now behind her.

[Singing] "Country roads, take me home to the place I belong . . ."

Narrator: There was cause for optimism. Employment was rising. New residents streamed into the state, seeking a change in lifestyle and a greater sense of community. Many West Virginians who had left came home.

[Singing] "Take me home, country roads."