Archives

You are here: / News

Carolina Calling Photography Exhibit Comes to the Earl Scruggs Center

/in , /by

Carolina Calling: The Photography of Daniel Coston, a new exhibition showcasing North Carolina musicians, will be on display Sept. 21 through Dec. 31 at the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby. The exhibition is supported in part by Come Hear North Carolina.

The exhibition features 39 photographs and moments documented by renowned music photographer Daniel Coston throughout his career, taking live concert shots and posed sessions with musicians for their album covers, websites, and promotional materials.

Visitors to the exhibition, named after the television series, “Carolina Calling” hosted by Arthur Smith and filmed at WTVI Studios in Charlotte, will have an opportunity to see iconic images of artists such as Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Mandolin Orange, Anthony Hamilton, Link Wray, and many more. The photographs were taken from 1998 to as recently as this year.

Read the full story on the Come Hear North Carolina website. #ComeHearNC

See details about viewing the exhibition at the Earl Scruggs Center here.

Smoky Mountain Folk Festival Celebrates Fifty Years of Music and Dance

/in /by

Back in 1969, while still a college student, Joe Sam Queen, grandson of legendary dancer Sam Love Queen, was asked by the town of Waynesville to call a square dance on the streets of downtown. The square dance became the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival and this Labor Day weekend, in 2019, it celebrates 50 years. Listen to the Podcast

2019 Gather ‘Round the Blue Ridge Annual Meeting

/in /by

2019 Gather ‘Round the Blue Ridge Annual Meeting

Gather ‘Round the Blue Ridge, the annual meeting of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area, is a special time for everyone who is involved in the preservation, interpretation, development and promotion of the heritage and culture of Western North Carolina to come together to share experiences, network, and get an update on the activities of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area invites you to be part of our 15th Anniversary Celebration! Our annual meeting, “Gather ‘Round the Blue Ridge” will take place on Tuesday, August 6. Please register now to join us at the Mission Health/AB Tech Conference Center in Asheville. 

Register Here: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4255519

Here are just a few reasons to look forward to “Gather ‘Round”:

  • Regional craft demonstrators will be on hand
  • Traditional bluegrass music will help to kick-off the event
  • And, highlights from 15 years of celebrating, promoting and protecting this region’s natural and cultural assets will be shared

This will be a very special day, and we are honored to welcome keynote speaker, Anne Pope, Tennessee Arts Commission Executive Director. A dedicated champion of cultural tourism, Anne previously served as federal co-chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission, where she led a variety of economic and community development initiatives. Ann’s experience has also included commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, as well as executive director of the Tennessee Film, entertainment and Music Commission. Ann’s presentation will be important for all of us to hear!

August 6th Agenda:

  • 9:30 a.m.       Registration and continental breakfast
  • 10:00 a.m.     Program begins 
  • 12:30 p.m.      Lunch is catered by Colorful Palate — Networking and seeing familiar faces from partner organizations throughout the region is encouraged.

Thanks again to our major sponsors, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Forever Mountain.  And many thanks to the many supporters of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area. Together we can protect and promote our diverse mountain culture to knowledgeable visitors, while growing a sustainable future for all our residents.

Who Was Lesley Riddle?

/in /by

On June 13, 1905, old-time musician Lesley Riddle was born in the Silvers Gap community north of Burnsville. Riddle learned to play blues and gospel songs on the guitar after losing most of a leg in an accident at a cement plant. He had to adjust his picking techniques to use only his thumb, index finger and little finger after losing two fingers in a shotgun accident.

A.P. Carter, patriarch of the famous Carter family, first heard Riddle play and sing in Kingsport, Tennessee, in 1927, and quickly recruited him to help advance the Carter family’s fame…

Read the full story on the Come Hear North Carolina website. #ComeHearNC

Fiddler’s Grove Is Memorial Day Weekend

/in , , /by

Since 1924, Fiddler’s Grove has enjoyed a long tradition of preserving old time and bluegrass music. The festival was started in 1924 by the current director’s great grandfather, H. P. Van Hoy, a teacher and fiddler, as the Union Grove Fiddler’s Convention. This convention was held every year until 1969 at the Union Grove School and was a fundraiser for the school.

Harper Van Hoy, pictured here, started Fiddler’s Grove in 1970. Now, the fourth generation of the Van Hoy family continues this historically important convention. Competitions, workshops and performance are all part of the festivities on Memorial Day weekend in Union Grove. 

The fun begins at 6 PM, Friday, May 24th at the Fiddler’s Grove campground. Want to go? Find out more here. You don't have to be a musician to enjoy the weekend. The audience is a huge part of the fun!

Photos by Tom Watts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom Dooley Day is May 18

/in /by

Tom Dula was hung for the murder of Laura Foster on May 1, 1868 in Ferguson at the Whippoorwill Academy. But…did he do it? He certainly gained international fame when the Kingston Trio sang Frank Proffitt's version of “Hang Down Your Head Tom Dooley” and made it a hit. Number one for 13 weeks on the Billboard charts, the song forever highlighted the dangers of a love triangle. You can experience Tom's mid-nineteenth century culture at Tom Dooley Day on Saturday, May 18 beginning at 10 am. Make sure you check out the the Tom Dooley Museum while you are there. And prepare for you visit by listening to our Down the Road podcast. Poor Tom, poor Laura. A real North Carolina story known around the world.

Meet Raymond Fairchild – New Podcast Episode

/in /by

Bluegrass banjo player Raymond Fairchild of Haywood County, North Carolina, embodies the spirit of originality found in many of the best mountain musicians. He has always done things his own way. 

Listen to the podcast episode here.

New podcast episode: Cane Mill Road

/in /by

Deep Gap, North Carolina, is known around the world as the home of the legendary Doc Watson and his son Merle. Now the rising bluegrass band Cane Mill Road is carrying on the legacy.

Listen to the podcast episode here.

Governor Proclaims 2019 The Year of Music

/in /by

CELEBRATION INCLUDES DAILY POSTS OF MUSIC, EXCLUSIVE STREAMING & MUSIC EVENTS

Raleigh, N.C. (November 27, 2018) — Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed 2019 The Year of Music to recognize North Carolina’s influence on America’s most important musical genres and to celebrate, support and sustain the state’s strong music heritage.     

“From bluegrass to the blues, from gospel to funk, from beach music to indie and hip hop, North Carolina is the birthplace of many musical styles and iconic performers,” said Gov. Cooper. “The Year of Music celebration not only recognizes North Carolina musicians that are now cultural icons but the nearly 25,000 North Carolinians who work in music occupations.”

The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) in partnership with the North Carolina Arts Council have developed The Year of Music to create greater visibility for the music and the musicians of the state and for the unique people that are important to understanding, preserving and promoting the state’s music story.

The proclamation was announced yesterday by First Lady Kristin Cooper at the North Carolina Executive Mansion in conjunction with the release of the Oxford American’s annual Southern music issue on North Carolina.

Throughout 2019, DNCR will celebrate all aspects of our state’s music industry from the composers, the musicians, the venues, listeners, and the communities that nurture and preserve our richest music traditions.

“Music is universal in North Carolina, regardless of where you live in the state,” said Susi H. Hamilton, secretary for the North Carolina Department of Natural & Cultural Resources. “North Carolinians are the heroes of many musical genres in America, reflecting our rich cultural heritage, our innovative spirit and the collaborative nature of our musical communities.”

The year-long celebration features:

  • Daily posts of North Carolina multimedia music stories at ComeHearNC.com.
  • Exclusive monthly live streams of performances.
  • Commissioned North Carolina artist pairings.
  • Curated “Tiny” concert films.
  • North Carolina musician stages at MerleFest, Wide Open Bluegrass, NC Folk Festival, and other major festivals around the state.
  • Educational programming and performances. 

North Carolina is home to the first state-supported orchestra in the nation, the North Carolina Symphony, and the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina and the African American Music Trails of Eastern North Carolina are among the first cultural tourism projects that focus on music in the country.

North Carolina has long been an innovator of musical institutions.

“Musicians from North Carolina, both past and present, have made brilliant, often groundbreaking, contributions to many of America’s most important musical genres,” said Wayne Martin, executive director of the North Carolina Arts Council. “It is now time to embrace our music for its key role in the creative economy and for its importance in shaping the cultural identity of the people and communities of our state.”

To read the proclamation click here.

For more information on The Year of Music visit ComeHearNC.com.

David Holt’s State of Music Season 3 Now on PBS

/in /by

Grammy Award winner David Holt is a musician, storyteller, artist, historian and radio and television host. For more than forty years, he as collected and performed the songs and stories of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He learned this treasure trove of music directly from musical greats including Doc Watson, Roy Acuff, Tommy Jarrell, Etta Baker and Grandpa Jones. 

In keeping with his passion to explore, interpret and present traditional mountain music, Season 3 of “David Holt's State of Music” showcases top performers of traditional and new acoustic music filmed at unique locations around the South. This season’s featured artists include mandolin legend and “Father of New Grass” Sam Bush, musical time lord Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton, champion fiddler and step-dancer April Verch, mid-life overnight success Joe Newberry, guitar phenom Molly Tuttle, and the godfather of the resonator guitar, Jerry Douglas.

Check your local PBS station for broadcast schedule. On UNC-TV, Season 3 Program airdates and guests include:

  • November 1, 2018 – Sam Bush                                     
  • November 8, 2018 – Jerron “Blind Boy” Paxton
  • November 15, 2018 – April Verch
  • November 22, 2018 – Joe Newberry
  • November 29, 2018 – Molly Tuttle
  • December 6, 2018 – Jerry Douglas

David Holt's State of Music is produced by the Will & Deni McIntyre Foundation and presented by UNC Center for Public TV. The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership provided a grant to support the broadcast of Season 2 of the program.

Our Supporters and Partners