Artist support grants awarded
The Haywood County Arts Council (HCAC) and regional partners, including the Asheville Area Arts Council, Transylvania Community Arts Council, the…
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This must be the place: Someday soon, you’re gonna have families of your own
Stepping into the Cresskill Tavern in Cresskill, New Jersey, last Wednesday evening, the place looked the exact same. It had…
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Taking the leap: 828 Market on Main
What started out as a simple idea to open a bottle shop has morphed into a hub of culinary delights…
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This must be the place: There were oh so many roads, I was livin’ to run and runnin’ to live
It’s Saturday evening here at my parents’ 1840 farmhouse in Upstate New York. The temperature is hovering around 15 degrees…
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Runnin’ wild: A conversation with Railroad Earth
In the realm of string and jam music, few acts are as intricately varied as Railroad Earth. Recently crossing over…
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This must be the place: Ain’t nobody slowing down no way, everybody’s stepping on their accelerator
It was about 4:30 a.m. when the cover of the hot tub was finally pulled off and we jumped into…
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Dawn a new day: Greg Ormont of Pigeons Playing Ping Pong
In the long, storied history of jam bands and the rollicking aura of time and space surrounding each unique musical…
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The maker and the mare: Haywood artisan combines love of horses, jewelry
Raised on a family farm just outside of Greensboro, Jean Osborne was surrounded by hundreds of cows and thousands of…
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This must be the place: When the winter comes, keep the fires lit, and I will be right next to you
All bundled up and sitting on the frozen, snowy summit of Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain in the heart of the Adirondacks of…
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JAM program gives students sense of place
There is a special moment that happens whilst playing music, a moment when concentration takes over as a musician uses…
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New directors at Cherokee museum
The Museum of the Cherokee Indian is expanding its leadership with the appointment of two new directors.
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This must be the place: Catch a wave and take in the sweetness, think about it, the darkness, the deepness
It’s 8:53 a.m. Room 159. Super 8 Motel. Christiansburg, Virginia. Upon exiting the room in time for the 9 a.m.…
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Finding the will to go on: New Canton gallery reopens after flood
On Aug. 13, Hannah Burnisky’s longtime dream of owning a pottery studio and art gallery came to fruition when the…
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This must be the place: My dreams fading down the railway line, I’m just about a moonlight mile down the road
It’s 9:21 a.m. Monday. Room 130. Super 8 Motel on the outskirts of Valdosta, Georgia. The air in the space…
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This must be the place: Won’t somebody tell me what I’m doing here? Won’t somebody tell me where I’m going?
Finishing up my scrambled eggs and black cherry yogurt, I washed the dishes in the small sink. Dried off my…
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Last of the better days ahead: A conversation with Charlie Parr
To be blunt? Charlie Parr is one of the finest singer-songwriters today. Based out of Duluth, Minnesota, Parr is true…
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This must be the place
It’s 11:16 a.m. Wednesday. Sitting in the lobby of the Dunes Inn & Suites on Tybee Island, Georgia, I can…
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You left your lonely: Charles Humphrey of Songs From The Road Band
Within this modern realm of bluegrass music, there’s a particular sonic revolution occurring — one where once-fringe elements of progressive…
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‘The Little Mermaid Jr.’ at HART
There will be a special stage production of “The Little Mermaid Jr.” by Kids at HART at 7:30 p.m. Nov.…
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Man on a mission: Darren Nicholson on new album, new chapter
On his way from performing at a Sunday church service in Highlands to an afternoon gig at Ole Smoky Distillery…
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Ode to GWAR, ode to heavy metal integrity
Standing in the photo pit last week between heavy metal icons GWAR and a sold-out roaring audience at The Orange…
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This must be the place: Ode to Billy Strings, ode to breaking down musical barriers
Standing in a sea of thousands of music freaks at the Asheville Civic Center (aka: Harrah’s Cherokee Center) on Sunday…
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It will if we let it: MC Taylor of Hiss Golden Messenger
In a modern world of meaningless priorities, constant distraction, finger pointing and incessant white noise, Hiss Golden Messenger remains a…
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This must be the place: Ode to being real, ode to the dude who felt otherwise
It was Saturday. Having just strolled into my neighborhood bar in Waynesville, I walked over to say hello to my…
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Rolling down that lost highway: A conversation with J.D. Pinkus
Hunkered down at a table in the depths of the cavernous DeSoto Lounge in West Asheville, J.D Pinkus takes a…
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Holt to receive N.C. Award
David Holt is one of nine North Carolinians who will receive the state’s highest civilian honor, the North Carolina Award,…
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Now it’s me who owns the night: Blackouts, Driftwood to play Water’n Hole
In an effort to bust out of her Virginia hometown and head for the bright lights of Nashville, rising singer-songwriter…
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Driftwood to make WNC debut
Nashville country/indie act Karly Driftwood will hit the stage at 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at The Water’n Hole Bar…
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This must be the place: But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
By the time you read this, my folks will be motoring through Southwestern Virginia, probably deciding whether to just keep…
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In the shadow of the pines: Ty Gilpin of Unspoken Tradition
With a slew of chart-topping bluegrass hits, including the No. 1 “Dark Side of the Mountain,” Cherryville-based string quintet Unspoken…
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Taylor receives HART award
Following the curtain call for the opening night performance of the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre’s current production of “Harvey,” the…
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HART play, painter combine forces
When the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre (HART) in Waynesville needed a custom-painted portrait of an actor with his six-foot invisible…
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Tale of two bands: J.J. Hipps, Gold Rose to play Apple Jam
Amid the rich, vibrant musical tapestry of bluegrass, Americana, blues and folk at the core of Western North Carolina’s storied…
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This must be the place: Some new light may be passin’, but it may never pass again
It was mid-afternoon Sunday and I couldn’t stand to be in my apartment another minute. I was done with all…
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Givin’ it the old college try: Daniel Womack of Futurebirds
On its new four-song EP, “Bloomin’,” Athens, Georgia-based rock outfit Futurebirds tapped Carl Broemel to not only produce the album,…
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This must be the place: Ode to the bluegrass awards, ode to a sea change
Finishing my beer and burger, I emerged from the depths of Jimmy V’s bar in the lobby of the Sheraton…
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Gunter wins two Josie Music Awards
Marshall native and country music performer Ricky Gunter walked away from the Country Tonite Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on…
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Balsam Range flood relief benefit concert
Presented by Balsam Range, United Way of Haywood County, Town of Canton, Clyde Lions Club, Canton Lions Club and The…
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Moxie and Mettle: Balsam Range on new album, flood relief show
Situated on Pisgah Drive/N.C. 110 in the outskirts of downtown Canton is the WPTL studio, a Haywood County community radio…
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This must be the place: Ode to ‘Grit & Grace,’ ode to coming together
Putting the truck into park, I hopped out of the Tacoma in front of the legendary WNCW studios on the…
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Primus gets 'Closer to the Heart' of Rush
A few weeks ago I photographed Primus doing a tribute to Rush playing the entire "A Farewell to Kings" album. Anyone who…
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MerleFest returns, giving up-and-coming acts a huge opportunity
MerleFest has been the premier “traditional plus” music festival in the country for decades, launching the careers of many well-known…
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This must be the place: Ode to Jorma Kaukonen, ode to the spirit of rock
At the core of iconic rock guitarists, Jorma Kaukonen resides in the same company of his 1960s peers, which includes…
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Travelin’ this lonesome road: Jeremy Garrett of The Infamous Stringdusters
With its latest album release, “A Tribute to Bill Monroe,” The Infamous Stringdusters pay homage to the long gone, yet…
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This must be the place: ‘Tall building shake, voices escape singing sad, sad songs’
Sitting in a camping chair next to the small fire, I sipped a nightcap and reached for my phone to…
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This must be the place: Ode to Sylva Pride, ode to all the colors of the rainbow
Kudos to the town of Sylva for hosting its inaugural Pride celebration this past Saturday in downtown. A day filled…
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Kindness is my religion: A conversation with Oliver Wood
When the entire music industry shutdown for the foreseeable future in March 2020, many artists and bands didn’t know what…
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This must be the place: ‘And the drummer, he’s so shattered, trying to keep on time’
Oh, Charlie, Charlie, Charlie. Charlie Watts. Drummer of The Rolling Stones. The backbone of rock-n-roll. Gone last Tuesday at age…
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Ready for ‘YerkFest’?
Celebrating the life of the late Erica Waldrop, the inaugural “YerkFest” will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday,…
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Qualla Arts and Crafts turns 75
The Qualla Arts and Crafts Mutual will be celebrating its 75th anniversary with an Open Air market, exhibition, and a…
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