Three luthiers have collaborated to create a guitar, which will be raffled off through LEAF Global Arts at the annual LEAF Festival, taking place from October 16 to 19, 2025. The guitar was crafted from wood harvested from trees that fell during Hurricane Helene.The luthiers:Jayne HendersonKyle Landers Judson RiviereAll proceeds will support the Local Artist ReLEAF Fund, aiding Western North Carolina artists impacted by Hurricane Helene.  Learn more at LEAF.org.

Part two of this special podcast delves into the evolution of the Folk School's programming with Bethany Chaney, the school's executive director. She explains the significance of its gradual shift in focus, encompassing music, dance, and craft. Songs Included:The Little Devil, Jean RitchieDance CallingMorningsong with Riley BaugusImage credit: By Harrison Keely - Own work, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=148059238

John C Campbell Folk School is celebrating its 100th anniversary of music, dance, craft, agriculture, and foodways. Located in Brasstown, North Carolina, in Clay County in the Far West region of the state. Known for its exemplary selection of courses in handicraft skills, music, agriculture, and more, it is one of the most established folk schools in the United States. Dive into the history of the founder, Olive Dame Campbell, and JCCFS. Song featured:"Barbara Allen", founding lady, Olive Dame Campbell 

Jim Shumate was a fiddler who gained his notoriety in the 1940s when he played with some of the great musicians of bluegrass, including Bill Monroe & the Bluegrass Boys, Lester Flatt, and Earl Scruggs. He added his flair to the songs of the time, emphasizing 'long-bow' fiddling, a style which he discovered listening to Arthur Smith from the Grand Ole Opry. John Miller (Shumate's grandson) and Natalyla Weinstein sit down with Laura Boosinger to share some of Jim Shumate's life and musical background. Songs Included in the Episode:"Mean Old Ramblin' Blues", Jim Shumate"Rocky Road Blues", Bill Monroe"We'll Meet Again, Sweetheart", Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs & The Foggy Mountain Boys"Little Red Shoes", Jim & Don and Sons of the Carolinas"Old Country Baptizing", Zoe & Cloyd Learn more about Jim Shumate through the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area's Traditional Artist Directory. 

In 1975, Connie Regan-Blake teamed up with Barbara Freeman to travel and tell stories across the country. The women made a marvelous duo, strategically and creatively sharing stories from the past and present. Many Appalachian tales have roots in Irish, Scottish, and English history, dating back hundreds of years, while others were developed and shared in more recent times. Learn more about Connie Reagan-Black by visiting her profile page in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area’s Traditional Artist Directory.Recordings in this episode:"The Bet." The American Folklife Center Presents: Stepping Back in Time: Storytelling with Connie Regan-Blake and Barbara Freeman. Recorded by the Library of Congress, September 6, 2018.To learn more about Western North Carolina's music and storytelling, visit BlueRidgeMusicNC.com.

Storytelling can be found across cultures. It's been used to teach morals, share news, and entertain. In this latest episode of the Down the Road podcast, Laura Boosinger sits down with professional storyteller Connie Regan-Blake to share how storytelling jumped from personal circles (campfires, living rooms, and porches) to stages. Connie Regan-Blake is an award-winning storyteller, coach, and workshop facilitator. Among her many awards and accolades, she has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Storytelling Network. Connie has also been honored by the NC Arts Council and the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival. She served on the board of directors for the National Storytelling Association at varying intervals between 1974 and 1984. Learn more about Connie Reagan-Black by visiting her profile page in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area's Traditional Artist Directory.  Recordings in this episode:Ray Hicks “Hunting with Jack” The PodcastThe “Down the Road on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina” podcast highlights bluegrass and old-time music stories, performers, and traditions across the mountain and foothills counties of Western North Carolina. Hosted and scripted by Laura Boosinger and produced by Jaclyn Anthony and Joe Kendrick of WNCW-FM, the podcast is a joint effort of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and WNCW-FM.

In this Down the Road episode, host Laura Boosinger interviews Brandon Johnson, the Executive Director of the Madison County Arts Council and the director of The Bluff Mountain Festival. Johnson explains how the annual festival began, when he became involved, and the importance of the music and community. To learn more about the Bluff Mountain Festival, visit BlueRidgeMusicNC.com and MadisonCountyArts.com.Songs featured in this episode: Brandon Johnson, "Nancy Rowland"Roger Howell, "Chinky Pin"Green Grass Cloggers Sheila Kay Adams, "Fair and Tender Ladies"White Rock Revival, "Room at the Top of the Stairs"The PodcastThe “Down the Road on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina” podcast highlights bluegrass and old-time music stories, performers, and traditions across the mountain and foothills counties of Western North Carolina. Hosted and scripted by Laura Boosinger and produced by Jaclyn Anthony and Joe Kendrick of WNCW-FM, the podcast is a joint effort of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and WNCW-FM.

Most folks don’t think of the piano as an instrument in traditional music, but that never stopped Jeff Little from playing throughout his musical career. His introduction to piano came at a very young age in his father's music store in Boone. Jerrell Little, Doc Watson, Wayne Henderson, and others gave Jeff the lessons he would use to carry him throughout his musical career. Listen to this episode of Down the Road to learn more about Jeff Little's story. Little is a notable player who travels with his band, the Jeff Little Trio. He was inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame in 2014. Discover more about him through the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area's Traditional Artist Directory. Jack Williams and Doc Watson, "Slippin' Away"Doc Watson and Jeff Little, "I Am Pilgrim"Jeff Little Trio, "Shady Grove"Jeff Little Trio at Stecoah Valley CenterThe PodcastThe “Down the Road on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina” podcast highlights bluegrass and old-time music stories, performers, and traditions across the mountain and foothills counties of Western North Carolina. Hosted and scripted by Laura Boosinger and produced by Jaclyn Anthony and Joe Kendrick of WNCW-FM, the podcast is a joint effort of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and WNCW-FM.More episodes.

Jayne Henderson had no intention of working in the world of music. She went to school to study environmental law. However, the heart knows what it wants. After growing up with creativity in her blood and a family of luthiers before her, Jayne found herself crafting guitars side-by-side with her father, with a twist... she chooses the materials mindfully, using wood right in her backyard. Music featured: Doc Watson, "Tellin' My Troubles to My Old Guitar"Dream Guitars, Demo of Jayne Henderson's guitarWayne Henderson, "Wheels"The PodcastThe “Down the Road on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina” podcast highlights bluegrass and old-time music stories, performers, and traditions across the mountain and foothills counties of Western North Carolina. Hosted and scripted by Laura Boosinger and produced by Jaclyn Anthony and Joe Kendrick of WNCW-FM, the podcast is a joint effort of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and WNCW-FM.More episodes.

Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson (March 3, 1923 – May 29, 2012) is revered as one of the most influential and respected guitar players in the history of traditional music. Originally hailing from Deep Gap, NC, Doc was a self-taught harmonica, banjo, and guitar player. He is known for his work in multiple music genres, including bluegrass, folk, gospel, country, and old-time.  In 1988, Doc Watson held the first MerleFest in honor of his late son, Merle Watson. Doc described the festival as 'traditional, plus', as it highlights the traditional music of Western North Carolina and anything else. The now four-day festival is still held every April in Wilkesboro, NC, on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Listen to more about Merle Fest in Season One, Episode Two of the Down the Road podcast. And learn more about Doc Watson through the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area's Traditional Artist Directory.The PodcastThe “Down the Road on the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina” podcast highlights bluegrass and old-time music stories, performers, and traditions across the mountain and foothills counties of Western North Carolina. Hosted and scripted by Laura Boosinger and produced by Jaclyn Anthony and Joe Kendrick of WNCW-FM, the podcast is a joint effort of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area and WNCW-FM.More episodes.

Some of the most prominent musicians in North Carolina were co-workers. Furniture, paper, and textiles were products that originated from mills across the state in the early 20th century. However, music was also a byproduct of the mills, as individuals like Charlie Poole, Roy Hall, Tommy Magnus, and the Martin family met at work and played together after business hours.

Wayne Erbsen has studied, played, taught, and written about traditional music for over 50 years. We talked to him about his new book, Southern Mountain Music: The Collected Writings of Wayne Erbsen, a collection of articles he wrote about legendary musicians from across the bluegrass and old-time music scenes. He started playing guitar and banjo in his native Southern California as a teen and arrived in Southern Appalachia in the 1970s.Go back into the Down the Road archives to Season 3, Episode 10, to learn more about Erbsen!

Dive into the golden age of country music as Down the Road remembers two North Carolinian entertainers who fell in love- Lulu Belle (Myrtle Eleanor Cooper) and Scotty Wiseman. They met when they were both working on the program National Barn Dance at WLS radio station in Chicago and married in 1934. Lulu Belle and Scotty went on to share songs and their lives, continuing to partner in music until 1958, when they retired to Avery County, NC. One of their most-known tunes is 'Remember Me.' 

Traditional North Carolina music and Appalachia has deep roots that belong to many family trees. In this episode, we uncover the musical history of the Shuffler Family. Music featured in this episode includes:Doc and Merle Watson, "Going Down This Road Feeling Bad"Earl Scruggs and Flatt and Scruggs, "Nine Pound Hammer"Valdese Quartet, "Just Over The Glory Land"The Stanley Brothers, "The Flood"Jim Shumate and John Shuffler, "Katie Hill"To learn more about the musical families of North Carolina, visit BlueRidgeMusicNC.com.

Citizen Vinyl is Asheville's own vinyl record-producing facility. It lives in the former Citizen-Times newspaper building.  The historic building was designed and built in 1938-1939, and it became the home for two newspapers and a radio station. In 2019, Citizen Vinyl moved into the first floor, mezzanine, and third floor to create spaces for recording and manufacturing space, as well as an event area with a small bar/cafe and shop.  Listen to this full episode for the full history of the recording space and radio station.Music featured in this episode includes:Jimmie Rodgers, "Away Out on the Mountain"Bill Munroe and the Bluegrass Boys, "Mule Skinner Blues"Mainer's Mountaineers, "Concord Rag"Jim Lauderdale, "My Carolina Sunshine Girl"To learn more about music along the Blue Ridge Music Trails, visit BlueRidgeMusicNC.com.

The Junior Appalachian Musicians program, more commonly known as JAM, is an after-school program for primarily grades 4-8, with some students carrying on afterward as mentors. The program began in Sparta, NC, with the Alleghany JAM in 2005 to bring music into the school systems and continue to educate students in traditional Appalachian music and instruments. Supported by the NC Arts Council and others, the program is now a successful non-profit program across seven states with 65 affiliates and 205 teachers: West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Music featured in this episode includes:Steve Kilby, "Forked Deer"Appalachian Heartstrings, "Lonesome John"Strictly Strings, "Cindy"The Burnett Sisters Band, "Cumberland Gap"Cary Fridley and Travis Stuart, "A Rovin' on a Winter's Night"Carley Arrowood, "Dear Juliana"To learn more about JAM, visit JAMKids.org and BlueRidgeMusicNC.com.

We had such a great time talking with Marc Pruett about his musical career that we found ourselves with a longer story. In this second episode, we look back at some of his early influences, the well-loved Bill Stanley’s BBQ, and the birth of Balsam Range. 

Marc Pruett is known for his spectacular three-fingered style of banjo playing and his winning smile! He's also one of the founding members of the bluegrass band, Balsam Range. Marc sat down to share some stories, discussing his life in Haywood County and his musical career that has led to different areas of the world. 

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. 

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.