This must be the place: But long as there are stars above you, you never need to doubt it
Pulling onto Lake Street last Saturday afternoon, an odd sense of self flowed through my veins while cruising through Rouses…
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Maggie Valley Band release new EP, return to stage
With its latest EP, “Something New: Vol 1,” the Maggie Valley Band is breaking new ground, whether it be sonically…
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Between midnight and the dawn: Graham Sharp of Steep Canyon Rangers
Celebrating two decades together this year, the Steep Canyon Rangers have evolved from a group of budding musicians in a…
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David Joy releases latest novel 'When These Mountains Burn'
Situated at the corner of N.C. 107 and 281, in the Tuckasegee community of rural Jackson County, is a newly-built…
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This must be the place: Wake now, discover that you are the song that the morning brings
On Aug. 9, 1995, I was 10 years old and living in an old farmhouse on the Canadian Border of…
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The roots of Joy: Ron Rash and Western Carolina University
Acclaimed Appalachian writer and poet Ron Rash has made a substantial impact on American literature during his three-decade career, but…
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This must be the place: Your neighbor isn’t out to get you, nor is your local newspaper
Stepping out of my pickup truck this past Saturday afternoon, I stood in the parking lot of the Maggie Valley…
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‘Save Our Stages Act’ now in the hands of Congress
Standing in front of a microphone on Sunday evening, singer-songwriter Jane Kramer looked out onto the small, socially-distant crowd inside…
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Brothers of a feather: New acoustic duo to make WNC debut
With the current pandemic and economic shutdown, the music industry was the first business sector to close its doors and…
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This must be the place: Cast your dancing spell my way, I promise to go under it
It was odd and surreal feeling to be watching live music this past weekend. As you probably read on the…
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Bringing down the ghosts: A conversation with Eleanor Underhill
One of the most versatile and intriguing musicians in Asheville and greater Western North Carolina, singer-songwriter Eleanor Underhill chases the…
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This must be the place: Not where but what you think that really matters
Stepping out of the pickup truck in my little sister’s driveway last Saturday, I was immediately greeted with the sounds…
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The abstract beauty of humanity: A conversation with painter Avery Rowan
If you’ve ever spent time in New Orleans, Louisiana, you know all too well the grandiose nature and immense splendor…
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This must be the place: Staring out at nothing, listening to an old dog bark
I’m currently sitting at the old kitchen table in my parents’ 1840 farmhouse in Upstate New York. Our family dog,…
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This must be the place: Ain’t it funny how you feel, when you’re findin’ out it’s real?
Much like New Year’s Eve, the Fourth of July is one of those holidays that everyone you know will definitely…
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Don’t know where I’m going, all I know is where I’ve gone: Isaac Gibson of 49 Winchester
Hailing from the Southern Appalachian backwoods of Castlewood, Virginia (population: 2,045), 49 Winchester is a rapidly rising alt-country/rock act. For…
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Artist grants now available
Artists in all disciplines are eligible to apply for grants to support their professional and artistic development through a partnership…
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Concerts on the Creek
Presented by the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, the 11th season of Concerts on the Creek will return with Summer…
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Nurturing the creative flame: Haywood County Arts Council holds steady during pandemic
Back in January, the Haywood County Arts Council was setting itself up for another year of growth, creatively and financially.…
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This must be the place: ‘Don’t let ‘em pick guitars and drive them old trucks’
Sitting in the back den of my parents’ Upstate New York farmhouse last week, I could hear the familiar sounds…
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Hear the sounds that carry you: A conversation with Andrew Scotchie
At just 27 years old, singer-songwriter Andrew Scotchie has already become a beloved fixture and voice of reason in the…
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This must be the place: Acadian driftwood gypsy tailwind, they call my home the land of snow
It’s been a wild and wondrous thing to be able to wander around my native North Country right now: to…
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Groovin’ On the Green canceled
The Village Green has announced that the Friday night summer concert series, Groovin’ On the Green is canceled for the…
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Frogs Leap Public House celebrates 10 years
Coming into this spring, Executive Chef Kaighn Raymond was looking forward to his restaurant hitting the 10-year mark. What he…
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This must be the place: Like the morning sun you come and like the wind you go
Somewhere between finishing my column last Tuesday morning and lunchtime, it was decided by my mother that she and I…
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Open call for volunteers
The historic Shelton House in Waynesville is currently in need of volunteers for an array of upcoming events.
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BearWaters welcomes Grey Eagle Taqueria to Canton
BearWaters Brewing in Canton has announced a new partnership with longstanding Asheville taqueria and music hall The Grey Eagle this…
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This must be the place: Home is where I want to be, pick me up and turn me around
It started with a text message. While making a sandwich for lunch in my parents’ Upstate New York farmhouse the…
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Folk school offers ‘Local Standby’ program
Western North Carolina residents are now eligible for half-off tuition for all 2020 classes at John C. Campbell Folk School…
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Appeasing the melodic sweet tooth: The Get Right Band unleashes ‘Itchy Soul’
For a group whose core mission is to promote positivity and compassion, The Get Right Band has found its ideals…
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Asheville’s soul threatened: Artists and musicians hit hard
By Ilana Fiorenza • AVL Watchdog | The pandemic that left thousands of Asheville workers unemployed has been particularly hard on the…
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Take a chance and build a boat, some will sink and some will float
On Monday morning, I woke up in a big, cozy antique brass bed at my parents’ 1840 farmhouse up near…
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This must be the place: Time and time and time again, circles break and lines they bend
I awoke to the sounds of tractor-trailers zooming by on the other side of the motel parking lot. It was…
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BearWaters Brewing expands to Maggie Valley
If you had told BearWaters Brewing founder/co-owner Kevin Sandefur eight years ago that some day he’d be at the helm…
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Frog Level Brewing reopens
In a highly-anticipated relaunch of a beloved Waynesville business, Frog Level Brewing has finally opened its doors following renovations and…
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Mountains to sea: Wicked Fresh Seafood & Meat Market
When Richard Gray was 9 years old, he would get up at 3:30 a.m. and ride his bicycle down to…
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This must be the place: The questions of a thousand dreams, what you do and what you see
It’s been exactly two months since I remember what it felt like. You know, “normalcy.” It was a Tuesday and…
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In search of the song: Jon Stickley Trio releases latest album
Sitting on his side porch in West Asheville last Thursday morning, guitarist Jon Stickley strums his 1958 Martin acoustic. Sunshine…
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This must be the place: It was the work of the quiet mountains, this torrent of purity at my feet
Walking out of my apartment this past Tuesday, the morning sun illuminated the mud plastered all over the side of…
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Haywood Arts Regional Theatre finds footing amid pandemic
It’s late morning and situated behind his desk in the back office of the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville…
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This must be the place: It’s hard to frown when ukulele music is goin’ down
Stepping into the hotel room, my mother had an odd expression on her face when she looked at me and…
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For whatever ales you: Blue Ridge Beer Hub navigates beverage market during pandemic
While society continues to adapt to ongoing shelter-in-place orders, many folks would jump at the chance to be in the…
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This must be the place: It’s a good life that comes upon you now and then
While waiting for my coffee to be brewed in the back of the newsroom this past Tuesday, I stared blankly…
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Chatham County Line channels creative bliss on new album
In its 20 years together, Chatham County Line has organically grown and blossomed into one of the most distinct and…
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Top 5 distractions with Susanna Shetley
This week Susanna Shetley, sales rep, digital marketing guru, mom blogger extraordinaire, Smoky Mountain Living contributor, shares her top 5…
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This must be the place: Searchin’ through the fragments of my dream-shattered sleep
Last Thursday evening, I sat in my recliner, in my one-bedroom apartment in downtown Waynesville, and gazed over at the…
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Finding a better way: Cullowheegee Farms Handmade Natural Soaps & Crafts
About three years ago, Sarah and Eric Rehmann uprooted their lives in Raleigh and headed for Western North Carolina.
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This must be the place: The street heats the urgency of now, as you can see there’s no one around
So, probably like most of y’all out there, I’ve spent a lot of time during the continuing quarantine combing through…
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Local musicians turn to live streaming for performances
It’s the hottest show in town, but nobody is allowed in. Tucked in the depths of The Gem downstairs taproom…
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That ‘high, lonesome sound’ amid lonesome times
Darren Nicholson has played the Grand Ole Opry and the International Bluegrass Music Association award showcase numerous times. He’s got…
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