Written by Vance Redd, Folk of ‘Noke Editor
As of July 16, 2026, Roanoke alumni Ellen A. Stroud (Class of ‘95) became the new executive director of the Carter Family Fold.
The Fold is a country and bluegrass music venue and historic center that was founded by Carter family member Janette Carter in 1976 and later became incorporated in 1979. The Carter Family themselves were pivotal to the diffusion of country music, as they were the pioneers of country music record-making out of the city of Bristol in the 1920’s. Their influence blossomed nation-wide, and their legacy continues to be preserved via the Fold.
Ms. Ellen Stroud herself carries the torch as the first non-family member to run the Fold, but is certainly not unfamiliar with the country music scene. She also is well regarded by the former director Rita Forrester, who is the daughter of Janette Carter. Ms. Stroud gained a very positive reputation via her work back in Tennessee where she founded Good Strings Entertainment LLC and worked with artists and bands like Carson Peters & Iron Mountain (who have performed at the Fold before) and Lorraine Jordan and her bands Carolina Road and Country Grass.
Though, if we travel a little bit back, Ms. Stroud actually booked her very first band here at Roanoke College: The Spin Doctors! (Who you may know from their 90’s Rock hits “Two Princes” and “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong”). She worked with the at the time director of student activities, Mark Peterson, who served as a mentor. At the college, she studied political science, which helped create a solid basis for her organizational skills that would let her do such amazing things like getting The Spin Doctors to come to Roanoke, alongside some comedians, and go on to operate such an immense organization like the Fold.
One last time, if we travel back a little bit more into Ms. Stroud’s life, long before The Spin Doctors, we find her at the Carter Family Fold watching Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash play. She has come a long way, and now honorably sits as the director of this beloved location.
Now I, Vance Redd, would also like to thank Ellen Stroud, personally. She is a very large part of why I am at this college today. She was very encouraging, and very informative during my scary final steps towards selecting a college. Once I was set and ready, Ms. Stroud personally came to my high school back in east Tennessee and delivered a scholarship during the school’s honors day on behalf of Roanoke. I have so much respect for her, and I hope to do well at this college in her honor.
