Photo by Diana Davies, Ralph Rinzler Folklife Archives.Ashe County, which touches the Tennessee and Virginia borders, is touted by residents — many of them part-time dwellers who are otherwise “city folk” — as the “coolest corner of North Carolina.” And indeed, the year-round temperatures are lower owing to the higher elevations and what seems, in those neighborhoods of cabins now sprouting in the mountains, like thick, tall trees that create a perpetual shade.
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Bertha Landis (center) with her children in 1985. Photo provided by Tom Davenport.
North Carolina is home to a diverse set of musicians, artists, and culture-makers. One such tradition is ballad singing, largely practiced in Madison County and the surrounding area. There, the landscape is characterized by steep hills that rise above pockets, often homesteaded. These “hollers” were settled in part by the English, who brought with them a style of song which, isolated in the mountains, maintained a certain fealty to its original style.
In 1916, sang & recorded 25 Southern Appalachian ballads for preservation. Songs were foundational for regional culture & music. She lived nearby.
Day Trip Itinerary: Find Your Rhythm in ShelbyThis day trip showcases the unique blend of music history, local culture, and Southern hospitality that makes Shelby, NC, a perfect destination for music lovers. From banjos to beer, this itinerary offers a full day of unforgettable music-themed activities!MORNING
Clearly, no holiday season is complete without great festive music. We here at Come Hear NC have put together our shortlist of must-attend holiday concerts happening throughout the state. So whether you are looking to kitsch it up in your ugliest Christmas sweater, meditate on the reason for the season whilst bathed in candlelight, get jazzy on Roanoke Island with an Army Band, or just sing along to your favorite Yuletide tunes, you can find what you need in the guide below.
“Singing Brakeman” lived in Asheville, 1927. Began his country music career with radio broadcasts on WWNC, then 50 yds. W.
English folklorist Cecil Sharp in 1916 collected ballads in the "Laurel Country." Jane Gentry, who supplied many of the songs, lived here.
Old-time musician and song collector. African American, he collaborated with the Carter Family, 1928-37. Grave 1/4 mi. S.
"Tom Dooley" of popular legend and song. Hanged in Statesville for the murder of Laura Foster. Grave is 1 1/2 mi. S.W.