Down the Road on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina

Blue Ridge Music Trails
  • 4.5 (12)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY
Down the Road on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina

Music legends and traditions of the North Carolina mountains and foothills.

  1. Andy Griffith from Mayberry

    NOV 12

    Andy Griffith from Mayberry

    Most people know Andy Griffith as the loveable sheriff of Mayberry, the town based in Mount Airy, NC. Beyond the role, Griffith was a musician and entertainer who shared his knowledge and love of traditional music with his audiences.

    9 min
  2. The Ballad Swap at the Old Marshall Jail

    NOV 11

    The Ballad Swap at the Old Marshall Jail

    Donna Ray Norton and Melanie Rice are eight-generation ballad singers. Along with noted musician Sheila Kay Adams and other local singers, they host a monthly ballad swap at the Old Marshall Jail in downtown Marshall, NC. The event has gained notoriety as the only recurring ballad swap in the area, bringing awareness of the traditional music genre to a broader audience.

    8 min
  3. The Great Flood of 2024: Tropical Storm Helene

    NOV 6

    The Great Flood of 2024: Tropical Storm Helene

    Tropical storm Helene devastated communities across Western North Carolina including Chimney Rock in Rutherford County, Swannanoa and Barnardsville in Buncombe, Crossnore in Avery, Old Fort in McDowell, Spruce Pine in Mitchell, and Hot Springs and Marshall in Madison to name a very few.This is not the first time that mighty waves of water have rolled through the region, causing devastation beyond comprehension. Singers and songwriters marked past events with songs, and it's likely the same will happen now.

    9 min
  4. Otto Wood the Bandit

    NOV 5

    Otto Wood the Bandit

    America has seen its fair share of outlaws throughout history. Musicians have sung their tales, immortalizing them in song from coast to coast and contributing to this country's folklore. North Carolina has a page in outlaw history with the bootlegger Otto Wood. Listen to learn more about Wood and others and the songs they inspired.

    9 min
  5. The Creative Community of Rare Bird Farm

    APR 16

    The Creative Community of Rare Bird Farm

    Rare Bird Farm in the mountains of Madison County is an agricultural arts center that hosts performing arts, classes, workshops, and community events, all centered around the ideas of creativity, connection, and collaboration. While not a commercial farm, Rare Bird also raises animals, medicinal plants, and food. We spent some time with Mitchell Davis and Farrah Hoffmire or Rare Bird to learn more.

    11 min
  6. The Ridgetop Riches of Red Spruce

    MAR 26

    The Ridgetop Riches of Red Spruce

    An intersection of the natural and musical heritage of WNC can be found in the high mountains. Red Spruce (picea rubens) is prominent at altitudes above 5,000 feet in the Southern Appalachians. It’s also one of the primary tonewoods used in traditional construction of mandolins and guitars. For this episode, we spent time with conservationist Marquette Crockett and luthier James Condino to learn more.

    12 min
  7. Claire Armbruster and Planning Stages

    MAR 11

    Claire Armbruster and Planning Stages

    Traditional music in WNC is a cultural practice that expands into many ways to make a living. We most often think of performers, but for every live music event that takes place, there are folks behind the scenes crossing “I’s” and dotting “T’s” to make sure everything goes off without a hitch. One of the leaders in the event promotion industry is Claire Armbruster who owns and operates Planning Stages. We sat down recently with Claire to learn more about her, her experience, and the particulars of producing live music events.

    10 min
  8. Rhonda Gouge and the Joy of Musical Connection

    FEB 13

    Rhonda Gouge and the Joy of Musical Connection

    Rhonda Gouge has done a lot. She’s been a fixture in the Mitchell County music scene since the 1970s, she can play at least a dozen instruments, she’s recorded multiple albums under her own name as well as with others, she’s performed with legendary musicians such as Red Wilson, she’s taught traditional music to more than 1,000 students, and in 2023 she was awarded the North Carolina Heritage Award. We sat down recently with Rhonda in her home teaching studio in the Ledger Community to talk about her musical journey and to do a little bit of pickin’!

    16 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
12 Ratings

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Music legends and traditions of the North Carolina mountains and foothills.

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