This must be the place: You want the house, I want the road
I had just enough water left. Squeezing the last of my water bottle onto my dry toothbrush, I managed to…
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A song for young love: The Lettermen roll into Franklin
It was a 1963 station wagon with six musicians and their equipment. When Tony Butala reminisces about the beginning of…
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This must be the place: Five years ain’t nothing, darling
Has it really been that long? When I looked at the calendar this week, I realized it said 2017, which…
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What’s the value of a mural?
The Appalachian Mural Trail has developed a long-range plan to include these priceless murals and all future murals into a…
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This must be the place: In the presence of the Founding Fathers
I decided to not wear the hardhat. Standing underneath the magnificent 215-foot high ancient rock arch at the Natural Bridge…
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Winds of Change: The Infamous Stringdusters hit WNC
They are the bridge. In the bluegrass world these days, it seems there are two camps of thought and performance…
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2016 in A&E
Each year, we here at The Smoky Mountain News showcase our “Spoof Awards.” Sometimes they’re meant in good tongue-and-cheek fun,…
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One more for the good times: The Dirty Soul Revival to rock Sylva
It ain’t dead. Rock-n-roll. In an era when sugar-coated pop stars and polished country acts are atop the charts, one…
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This must be the place: Sydney to Seattle to the South
Through the strewn lights I could see the Empire State Building.
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Kephart collection at WCU
A showcase on the life and times of Horace Kephart will be on display from Oct. 11-March 31 in the…
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HCAC receives gifts
In 2016, the Haywood County Arts Council’s (HCAC) Gallery Committee set out to improve its Gallery & Gifts retail space…
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Haywood, Jackson Arts grant recipients
The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) and Jackson County Arts Council (JCAC), co-administrating organizations of this year’s program, are pleased…
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This must be the place
Home. For me, it’s Plattsburgh, New York. Just down the road from the Canadian border, in the heart of the…
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‘All of the freaks have gone to bed…’: A conversation with Ron Gallo
It’s about time. It’s about time someone kicked us all in the ass when it comes to the power and…
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This must be the place: ‘Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy.’
But, I’m not sad either. Even with that Charlie Brown quote in the headline to emphasize my thoughts on the…
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Get on the ‘Appalachian Mural Trail’
With the help of the Blue Ridge Parkway Association, the Appalachian Mural Trail Group began accomplishing its vision on Dec.…
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This must be the place: Christmas Jam, now more than ever
“You don’t know me but I’m your brother/I was raised here in this living hell/You don’t know my kind in…
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Christmas classic comes to life
A frigid mountain wind howled through Bryson City last Friday evening as a handful of folks hurried into the Smoky…
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Under the Bright Lights: Smoky Mountain Community Theatre
It’s the heartbeat of a town. Coming into its 37th year, the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre has become a beacon…
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In their words: WCU professor and alumnus nominated for Dublin Literary Award
Novels written by a Western Carolina University professor and by his former student are among the 147 titles in the…
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This must be the place: Indonesia to Carolina and back again
“I’m glad you’re here right now.” Standing in line at the Old Europe coffee shop in downtown Asheville, I said…
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When I sing: An interview with Bear Rinehart
Heralding from just down the mountain in Greenville, South Carolina, Bear Rinehart is the front man for the rock group…
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Straight from the Source: A conversation with Marty Stuart
It’s about staying true to yourself. When you converse with country/bluegrass legend Marty Stuart, you’re speaking to the source. From…
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Lines in the Sand: Balsam Range looks ahead
The eternal struggle of bluegrass is being able to balance evolution with tradition. How does one adhere to the pickin’…
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This must be the place: Last call at the Brar Patch
“Blue-collar heaven.” When asked just what the Brar Patch is, Trey Smith was quick with that response. Huddled under a…
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Local writers, film wins awards
Two local authors and the Bethel Rural Community Organization’s Historic Preservation Committee were among award winners at the annual meeting…
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This must be the place: Stones sax player, improv legend rolls into WNC
It’s a whirlwind. With his group Tiny Universe, saxophonist Karl Denson seamlessly creates this vortex onstage, a sonic hub where…
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Haywood art grants given
The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC), serving as a Designated County Partner of the North Carolina Arts Council, is pleased…
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This must be the place: An Ode to Election 2016
Hate didn't get us to this point. It also didn’t win the election. A stagnant Congress for the last 16…
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‘In the Soundless Awe’: Play co-written by Western Carolina University professor
The haunting final moments of the man at the helm of the worse naval disaster in U.S. history will be…
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JCAC receives grant funding
The Jackson County Arts Council has received four grants from the North Carolina Arts Council to fund various programs for…
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Midwest Heart, Southern Blues: Nick Dittmeier & The Sawdusters roll into WNC
Taking a seat on the old couch, my foot began to tap immediately. The living room full of friends and…
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This must be the place
The most important band in America My ears are still ringing. After catching two nights of the Drive-By Truckers this…
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If you lived here, you’d be home by now: A conversation with Chris Robinson
Life is good. That’s the vibe one gets when chatting with Chris Robinson these days. Former lead singer for legendary…
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American Pickers to film in North Carolina
Mike Wolf, Frank Fritz and their team are excited to return to North Carolina. They plan to film episodes of…
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This must be the place
Why don’t you go get your crazy pills? I remember that being said to me by other students when I…
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Tuscola attends GWU Choral Clinic
Gardner-Webb University welcomed nearly 160 high school chorus students to campus Oct. 13 as the university’s music department sponsored the…
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WCU to celebrate Homecoming 2016
The Western Carolina University community will come together under the theme “Purple Reigns” to celebrate Homecoming 2016 with major public…
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‘Fear No Art’ Exhibit
The Jackson County Arts Council in Sylva announces a new exhibit entitled "Fear No Art" by Isabella Jacovino, an artist…
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This must be the place
I’m entering hostile waters here, folks. So, bear with me as I bring up this ideology I recently heard, which…
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This must be the place: NPR’s Ari Shapiro visits WNC
It was weird hearing him speak. As host of “All Things Considered,” the flagship program on National Public Radio (NPR),…
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Pisgah wins 50th anniversary rumble
It was the tale of two halves as the Pisgah Black Bears went toe-to-toe against their Haywood County rivals, the…
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New Haywood dance initiative
It has been over 10 years since the Haywood County Arts Council brought the Atlanta Ballet to Haywood County to…
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WCU professor receives Cherokee honor
Brett Riggs, Sequoyah Distinguished Professor of Cherokee Studies at Western Carolina University, has received the 2016 Cherokee National Worcester Award…
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After the dust settles: A conversation with Tim Reynolds
It is the rhythm of life. When you hear the guitar mastery of Tim Reynolds, you’re listening to the joyous…
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This must be the place
What the hell, I figured. Sometime around midnight, and somewhere around my third beer, I decided to send her a…
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Discounted classes at Penland
Penland School of Crafts has open spaces in its upcoming eight-week session available at half tuition to area residents. These…
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Brews news
Bryson City welcomes second brewery With the former brewmaster for Lazy Hiker Brewing (Franklin), Noah McIntee, at the helm, Mountain Layers…
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Mountain Faith wins big in Raleigh
What a year. That is about all you can say about the past 12 months for Jackson County bluegrass act…
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Waynesville songwriter nominated by IBMAs
Although he resides in Nashville these days, songwriter Milan Miller is never too far away from his Waynesville roots. As…
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