On Wednesday August 7th, it was overcast, warm and 73° at 7:00am for my 220th walk of 2024. My first of many walks in NC this leg. We overnighted at Bandits Roost Campground, a COE park in Wilkesboro NC on W Kerr Scott Reservoir. There were ample hills to enjoy on my walk!The John H Kerr Reservoir is along the border of North Carolina and Virginia. The US Army Corps of Engineers constructed the Dam across the Roanoke River between 1947 and 1952 to produce hydroelectricity as well as for flood control. They operate this 50,000 acre reservoir and an additional 55,000 acres of surrounding land. There are 30 recreation areas around Kerr Reservoir, all available for public use. They include campsites, swim beaches, picnic areas, hiking, nature trails, marinas. Four campgrounds are operated by the Corps of Engineers, seven by the North Carolina State Parks and two by the Virginia State Parks. These campgrounds provide tent and trailer camping at both primitive and water/electric sites with boat ramps, bath facilities, beaches, playgrounds and hiking trails.
There was an old cemetery inside of the COE campground. I have to say that is a first for me! i tried to find out anything I could on the cemetery, but I was not able to.
It was a short drive for us to arrive at Camping World Campground in Marion, NC. This will be our home for the next 12 nights. We are 30 miles east of Asheville. Our 1st music festival was canceled for this weekend, but the 2nd one is still a go next weekend! Sadly we will not enjoy McDowell Country Music Roundup, but looking forward to some bluegrass at the NC State Bluegrass Festival!
We enjoyed a local craft brewery on our first night in Marion. Taylors Brewing Company is where two brothers share their favorite "home brews" and regionally crafted favorites with a large assortment of options on tap. Marion's newest brewery is serving some of the best craft beer available and some tasty deli subs for thirsty and hungry patrons. Charlie found a "brother" in sports at this brewery. One of the owners is a big wrestling fan too! He even offered to put some Rick Flair tapes on the TV! It was great to see the two of them talk about all of the "old" wrestling guys. While both brothers are brewers, one brother is also an amazing cook and has some great food items on the menu!
It was windy, warm and 75° at 7:30am on Thursday morning August 8th for my 221st walk of 2024. We are at Camping World campground in Marion NC. We are hunkered down for the wind and rain we will get from Tropical Storm Debby today. I got my walk in before the rain started and focused on my positive affirmations.
It was a wash-out of a day with light rain all day from Tropical Storm Debby. We fared just fine in Marion NC from the effects of Tropical Storm Debby. Just the light rain, but little wind and no issues. God's promise was a beautiful sunset after the storm.
A warm, sunny, and 75° at 7:30 am on Friday morning August 9th for my 222nd walk of 2024. After a day of sitting inside the RV, it felt really good to get out, stretch my legs, and focus on my positive affirmations. Today was a day to catch up on the chores! We both needed haircuts. I found a Great Clips, we used them a few times before in Kentucky and NY. So, why not! They keep notes on the computer from your visits. We both made out well. We like our haircuts. Mine is a bit short on the sides, but it will grow back! We needed to do some shopping and there is a Walmart right by the Great Clips. So, I ran in and got what we needed.
We needed to mail a priority envelope to Florida, so Peggy could send out mail to Mountain View AR for us. We found the local post office and got that done too! It never fails, a credit card always expires and a new one is sent while you are away! LOL Marion's Main Street is lined with historic buildings, churches and the courthouse. This small town sits at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We enjoyed a relaxing afternoon under the awning. We decided to check out the local ice cream shop which is just at the end of the road we are on. Delicious!
Saturday August 10th was a warm, hazy and 73° at 7:30am for my 223rd walk of 2024. This morning I walked along the Catawba River for a while on the golf cart path. This once-wild waterway named for the Catawba tribe of Indigenous People — “the people of the river” — rises in the Blue Ridge Mountains just east of Asheville, NC, and travels to and through South Carolina, where it eventually becomes known as the Wateree River before landing in Congaree National Park for its final 10 miles above Lake Marion.
Later in the morning, we headed to Asheville to meet up the some Yankee RV Tour friends for a late lunch. On our way there, we took Route 70. This route took us through Black Mountain NC. Black Mountain serves as the front porch to the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Black Mountain boasts a lively downtown packed with galleries and cozy bistros, offering a charming and walkable experience overflowing with arts, crafts and — at an elevation of 2,405 feet — incredible outdoor adventures. Named for the mountain range that towers over the town, Black Mountain became a haven for pioneers in the world of art, painting, music, poetry and architectural design during the mid-twentieth century. Today it remains an artist mecca with multiple galleries showcasing some of the region’s best southern Appalachian arts and crafts.
We did not know when we picked this route that we would be driving through the heart of the Sourwood Festival. This annual summertime festival in Black Mountain is a celebration of gourmet sourwood honey and includes tastings and bee demos. Since 1977, historic Black Mountain has drawn in more than 30,000 annual attendees for the Sourwood Festival. This annual summer community celebration marks the beginning of the sourwood honey-selling season. This unique honey is gathered from the sourwood tree, a native tree in the Southern Appalachian region.
We arrived early for our lunch date, so we used the time wisely and took our road log for the American Mountain Music Tour to the local Office Depot to get it printed. Since we are FMCA members, we get a pretty good discount on printing there. I chatted up the manager and the worker at the Print Shop and told them if I could get it later today, it would save me a trip back from Marion to pick them up. There were a few jobs ahead of me, but I told them I would check back after our visit with our friends. There was a neat neon sign in front of a motel near the Office Depot. Asheville's iconic Mountaineer Inn is a local landmark that has operated since 1939 when Tunnel Road was a main drag for hotels in the area. The property has been featured in many motion pictures throughout the years. I loved the letters that are backwards on the sign!
Jack & Ann Sapp are staying in Maggie Valley, NC. Asheville is about halfway between Marion NC and where they are. I picked the place, Creekside Taphouse. Jack picked the day and time. So, we got together on Saturday early afternoon. The Taphouse is nestled in the beautiful Haw Creek neighborhood on over 2 acres, a flowing creek provides a peaceful dining experience outside.
They source local products as much as possible and specialize in burgers, wings, pizza and brews! They feature over 20 craft beers on draft from a lot of local brewers. They have a large outdoor seating along the creek, where we sat. It was a great afternoon catching up with friends, Ann & Jack, from Florida and Yankee RV Tours. It was nice meeting their friend Sue, too. We enjoyed beers, ciders, salads and burgers.
We stopped back at Office Depot and the printing was done. On our way home, we made an unscheduled stop at Whaley Farm Brewery, in Old Fort NC. Whaley Farm Brewery specializes in Appalachian farm beers, English pub ales, and continental lager style beers. Their inspiration comes from the pastoral landscapes of Western North Carolina, the cozy corners of English pubs and the bustling service of European cafes.
All are brewed with Whaley-grown and locally sourced herbs, flowers, spices, and fruits. I enjoyed Grape Wild. Which includes muscadines and sous-vide lemon peel. It was reminiscent of a white-wine spritz. There was no IPA, so Charlie had a German-inspired Light Lager that was crispy, grassy, citrusy and floral. They were great beers and the food from the Abbiocco Woodfired food truck looked amazing, but we were still stuffed from lunch.
It was warm, sunny, and 69° at 8 am on Sunday August 11th for my 224th walk of 2024. It was a great morning to talk to God, and my brother. I hope he enjoyed the almost 4-miles he walked with me this morning. We enjoyed a quiet day relaxing at the park!
On Monday August 12th it was overcast, warm, and a cooler 64° at 7 am on my 225th walk of 2024. I met the "regulars" walking around the campground. There is always a group of guys that are out every morning enjoying coffee while I walk. They are wondering if I lost my golf ball, since I carry the golf club every morning!
Charlie went over to the service department across the street to see if he could arrange an A/C service using the mobile service guy. He came back over and said, "we need to bring the RV over to service." I said, when. He said "now." We quickly secured things for a short move and headed over to the service center. While it was getting serviced, we sat in TJ's Cafe and work on stuff for the American Mountain Music Tour.
 |
| Stock Photo |
The service took about a couple hours. When we brought the RV back to our site our lawn was all nicely mowed! Since it was well afternoon when we were done, we drove out to a restaurant I always wanted to try, Cook-Out. It has been 28 years and counting since Cook-Out originated in 1989 in Greensboro, NC. In 2018, the 250th Cook-Out opened in Mobile, AL. We learned there was no place to sit at the location in Marion NC! Additionally, eating healthy? Not here! Cook Out says to hell with that. The only vegetables offered on this menu are the toppings for your burger. But you better tell them that or your burger is naked on the bun.... oh, well... I wanted a peanut butter milkshake and that did not disappoint! We had a few groceries to pick up, so it was a quick stop at Food Lion.
On Tuesday August 13th it was an overcast, and a cooler 63° at 8 am for my 226th walk of 2024. The temperature was perfect for a walk. It was a great morning to focus on my positive affirmations. That is an awesome way to start your day! It's our last day before a few friends arrive.
We enjoyed the cooler temperatures and relaxed today.
On Wednesday August 14th, there was thick fog. It was 64° at 7 am for my 227th walk of 2024. Fog is like the comforting blanket that surrounds you. It feels so safe and secure. When you are ready for change, you have to throw off that blanket, leave the comfort, and step into the unknown.
Our wide open spaces became tight quarters for the next four nights. For the last week, we have had all the sites around us open. Now that the music starts tomorrow, the spots are filled! Some of our bluegrass festival friends arrived and me made some new friends with our neighbors.
On Thursday August 15th there was a beautiful sunrise. It was 68° at 7 am for my 228th walk of 2024. In just a few short hours the music will start!
After more than a week waiting for music, we are enjoying The North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival. Tim Graves and The Farm Hands opened the festival. Since their inception in 2010, the band has received over 82 award nominations, winning an unprecedented 34 major awards. The group features 4 award-winning singers, musicians and songwriters, including Two long-time veterans of Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. They are the only group in the Bluegrass genre that can honestly say they have Bluegrass DNA that has been handed down from the first generation of Bluegrass Music Greats. Most notably the bango player is Don Wayne Reno, the youngest son of legendary banjo player, Don Reno. My favorite song in this set was a patriotic song called 'Colors.'
The 2nd act at the 49th North Carolina Bluegrass Festival was the award-winning Larry Stephenson Band. They have been entertaining audiences for 30 years. The group is led by Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame member and 5-time SPBGMA Male Vocalist of the year. With numerous IBMA and SPBGMA nominations and awards, Larry records on his own label, Whysper Records.
The 3rd act at the North Carolina State Bluegrass Festival was The Kody Norris Show. They are the reigning SPBGMA Entertainers of the Year. Their attire is a throwback to country with rhinestones and fringe. But their sound is definitely bluegrass! The talented group, made up of front man Kody Norris, Josiah Tyree, Mary Rachel Nalley-Norris, and Charlie Lowman.
My favorite song this set was “Gotta Get My Baby Back.” There is no doubt that they ain’t retro. They have something different. They have something uniquely theirs. They have something that makes them stand out.
The 4th act of the NC State Bluegrass festival was Rhonda Vincent and The Rage. Rhonda began her professional music career early with her family's band, the Sally Mountain Show. She picked up the mandolin at eight and the fiddle at ten, performing with the family band at festivals on weekends. Rhonda has had deals with Rebel Records, Giant, and Rounder Records. Her band, The Rage helps her with hard-driving, high-energy contemporary Bluegrass.
There is a FL story about YeeHaw Junction, Rhonda and a young fiddle player named Ian Lane. Here is a link to the YouTube video.
https://youtu.be/K3EsgyjMIlk?si=6JcYu0Qj0AgMd5AZ
After the dinner break, the same line-up played a second set.
First set after dinner was the 2nd set for The Farm Hands! Great second set with a bit more gospel at the 49th NC State Bluegrass Festival.
The 2nd group after dinner break was the Larry Stephenson Band with their 2nd set of the day. My favorite song they performed was "Patches."
The 3rd act after the dinner break was the Kody Norris Show with their 2nd set of the day. It's a husband and wife and 2 friends. The harmony is solid and their attire is unique! Mary Rachel sang "Tennessee Flat Top Box" originally by Rosanne Cash. Wow, I love it as a country song, but as a bluegrass song, amazing!
The final act tonight was the 2nd set for Rhonda Vincent and The Rage. What a great set, with a mix of gospel, traditional bluegrass, country and pop music turned bluegrass!
Her encore tonight was a solo with her song "Till They Come Home." My new favorite patriotic song. Check it out!
Friday August 16th gave us a beautiful sunny 64° morning for my 229th walk of 2024. You can see that the camping area is full! The music festival is in full swing. With more people out what I noticed was the great number of people who walk with their heads down. They are letting the world go by without enjoying it.
The band to open the NC State Bluegrass Festival was Backline. They are a band out of Spartanburg, SC. They have a sound that is fresh, fun, different, and yet familiar at the same time. Their style of picking has proven to be modern, with just enough traditional flare that it catches the ear of the younger generation of bluegrass listeners. We listened to some classics and they have also created their own catalog of original music. Because most of the original band members grew up in "Mill Hill Towns" such as Pacolet, Glendale, and Spartanburg. The group selected a name that's meaning went along with that historical heritage. They chose Backline. The word backline was a term used in that booming textile era here in the south. It was used to describe the back of the mill, the last row of houses in a housing section, and even the back section of a working area.
The 2nd act up on Friday at the NC State Bluegrass festival was Retro 78. They are a national touring Bluegrass Band based out of Upstate South Carolina. They been on a roll since they swept into Nashville in 2022 and won the SPBGMA national band championship. In 2023, they released first single on Ram Cat Records, “Black Vinyl 45”. It was a 5-member band, but now it is a 6-man band with some amazing harmonies! The members are Hunter Motts (banjo), Jacob Jackson (mandolin), Bill Turnbill (fiddle), Clint Groves (guitar), Brad Kaylor (bass), and Aaron Sellers (lead guitar).
The 3rd band on the Friday afternoon stage of the 48th Annual NC State Bluegrass Festival was Southern Legacy. They feature the Tony Rice style-playing of Josh Williams, and the high tenor singing and mandolin picking of Don Rigsby. The fiddle player is Steve Thomas. All the members have played with Tony Rice at one time or another. He is one of the most influential musicians in the history of bluegrass and acoustic music in general. Southern legacy continues the legacy of bluegrass and maintains the spirit and the essence of bluegrass. This is our first time hearing this group play.
The 4th band on the Friday stage at the NC State Bluegrass Festival was Junior Sisk and his band, Red Camel Collective. They came on to play, as the rain started. Thank God for this awesome pavillion. Junior Sisk’s band, is Heather Berry Mabe on guitar, Tony Mabe on banjo, Jonathan Dillon on mandolin, and Curt Love on bass. The band pays tribute to the man who brought them together with their name, taken from Junior’s song, The Man in Red Camels. It was a great set! Junior Sisk stepped aside and let Red Camel Collective do a couple of their own releases. My favorite is "Roll On Mississippi". Rhonda is Charlie's favorite, but I am partial to Junior Sisk.
Backline played the 1st set after the dinner break. They were excellent, it's too bad our experience was tarnished by friends or family of one of the band members.
Two ladies literally talked through the whole set and this guy watched videos on his phone with the volume up! It's sad how rude some people are....
2nd set after the Friday dinner break was Retro 78. Another great set!
Mother Nature paid us a visit, during the 2nd set of Southern Legacy tonight!
3rd set is back on track, after a short rain delay, with Southern Legacy. They played "Rain Please Go Away" as the heavy rain let up. Now they are playing some of their newly recorded, unreleased songs. Amazing!
The Last act tonight was Junior Sisk and Red Camel Collective. What a great way to end a day of fabulous music!
Saturday, August 17th gave us a muggy, sunny, and 69° morning for my 230th walk of 2024. Yesterday, during the shows, we learned of a broken beam above our heads. So, we temporarily moved our chairs. This morning, during my walk, I stopped in the pavilion to find a better area for today. I accomplished that mission but forgot to restart Map My Walk.
The music started at 11 am on Saturday, the last day of the 49th Annual NC State Bluegrass Festival. The first band up was Remedy Tree. They are an Americana / Bluegrass / Folk band from St. Augustine, Florida. Gabriel Acevedo, the lead vocals of the band, started writing songs at a young age, and with his brother he formed several bluegrass bands between 2008 and 2014. Remedy Tree plays original music blending bluegrass, folk, and old time music with new ideas creating a truly unique modern Americana sensation. They did focus on hard driving modern bluegrass music today. Abigail, literally had a kid on her back, as she played the bass the first time we saw them! The two little blondes progressed to sitting on the stage, playing their own instruments. I missed seeing them today! Remedy Tree is headed to Lodi, NY for Pickin' in the Pasture.
2nd band up was Deeper Shade of Blue. Hailing from just east of Charlotte, Deeper Shade of Blue is comprised of Troy Pope, Frank Poindexter, Scott Burgess, Chad Day, and Milom Williams II . The band has been together for 21 years and self-produced six albums. A quick search on YouTube will no doubt prove why this band has been a favorite for so long. With their tight harmony singing, dynamic instrumentation and energetic stage show, they’ve been lauded as one of the best touring groups in the industry. This is the third festival in 2024 that they have been on the lineup.
The 3rd set on the Saturday afternoon stage of the NC State Bluegrass Festival was East Nash Grass. It's the first time we have seen this band live. The band that would become East Nash Grass began to take shape by chance, at a weekly bluegrass night at Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge. It’s natural to assume that a band born in a bar would be willing to take risks, and in the case of East Nash Grass, you’d be right. Like birds in a flock, each member is keenly aware of one another’s every move. The pickers in East Nash Grass fly in tight formation, no matter the twists and turns the moment demands. Bluegrass music tends to be one of America’s “traditional” styles, but at its heart it has always had a wild and spontaneous side. Few bands showcase this as well as East Nash Grass. An ensemble of standout players from a city known for the quality of its musicians. Their incredible skill as a band makes it look easy, and their chemistry makes it fun to watch.
The 4th group on the stage on Saturday at the NC State Bluegrass Festival was Authentic Unlimited. They are a bluegrass / Gospel group that includes three former members of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver's last touring band before Doyle retired. They are Jerry Cole, Eli Johnston, and Stephen Burwell. They are joined by mandolin player, Jesse Brock and vocal powerhouse, John Meador to form a tight machine that is setting bluegrass on fire. They won Vocal Group of the Year and New Artist of the Year at the 2023 IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards. I love their rendition of "Fall in Tennessee".
The last band up for Saturday afternoon was The Malpass brothers. They are not bluegrass, but they are from NC and very popular. They are one of the few bands that can carry on the history of country music with their music. Their music is inspired by traditional country and brother-harmony duos like the Louvin Brothers and Jim & Jesse. They are known for blending humor, romance, and heartbreak into their original songs. They play it from the heart and respect the many artists that they sing their songs. In 2014, Doyle Lawson of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver introduced the brothers to the Asheville label Organic Records at the Ralph Stanley Bluegrass Festival. Lawson went on to produce the brothers' debut for the label. They are one of Charlie's favorite. We went to their festival in Denton NC in May.
The first set after the dinner break on the final night of the NC State Bluegrass Festival was Deeper Shade of Blue. Charlie found a new favorite song, "Promise We Made." Another awesome set of bluegrass!
2nd set after dinner at the 49th Annual NC State Bluegrass Festival was the 2nd set for East Nash Grass. Charlie called them eclectic. I believe that moniker fits them well.
The 3rd band up for the nighttime set was Authentic Unlimited. It was the 2nd set for this great band.
The band took one song off, so this young girl could sing with John. She was awesome! The band did not disappoint either!
The final act of the 49th Annual NC State Bluegrass Festival was the Malpass Brothers. An excellent set to end an excellent festival. Tomorrow Charlie and I sit an watch these 300 rigs pull out of here!
Stay tuned for more #TwoLaneAdventures
No comments:
Post a Comment