Since his teenage years, Bill Hairston has been fascinated by the folklore and culture of his neighbors along the Coal River near St. Albans, West Virginia.

As a result of those interests, he listened and learned the stories and music that was a part of the rich Appalachian culture that he was exposed to as a child.

During his years as a student at Glenville State College, he began to study and interpret the contributions of African Americans to Appalachian history and culture. As a musician and storyteller, he has taught and performed throughout West Virginia and the surrounding region.

 Bill is well known as the person in West Virginia who developed the elementary school program that combines the Appalachian culture with the African-American culture in his program titled, "We Are One".