Podcasts about Balsam Range

On this week's episode of The Hometown Bluegrass Show, Tim Batts and Josh Williams welcome one of bluegrass music's most recognizable voices, Darren Nicholson. Darren joins us to talk about his career in bluegrass, his time with Balsam Range, his current projects, songwriting, touring, and what continues to inspire him as an artist. You'll also hear stories from the road and get Darren's perspective on the state of bluegrass music today.We also take a few minutes to visit with one of our valued podcast sponsors, The Lakehouse Inn. We sit down with the owner to learn more about this beautiful destination, what makes it special for visitors, and why it has become a favorite place for travelers looking to experience the Kentucky Lake area.As always, Josh picks a tune, we share a few laughs, and bring you another fun conversation from the world of bluegrass music.In This Episode:Darren Nicholson discusses his bluegrass journey and current music projectsStories from life on the road and behind the scenes in bluegrass musicA spotlight interview with the owner of The Lakehouse InnThanks for listening to The Hometown Bluegrass Show! Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share the podcast with your bluegrass-loving friends.For more information, merchandise, and past episodes, visit www.timbatts.com.

Since first hitting the scene in the early 1980's, Alan has made a name for himself as one of the most creative and technically gifted mandolinists in bluegrass and acoustic music. He was an original member of the groundbreaking bands; The New Quicksilver, IIIrd Tyme Out, BlueRidge and for the last eight years the band Alan Bibey & Grasstowne. Alan won the SPBGMA “Mandolin Performer Of The Year” award for 2007, 2009 and 2010. He won the IBMA “Instrumental Album of the Year” in 2001, “Album of the Year” in 2006, “Recorded Event” in 2012 and SPBGMA “Album of the Year” in 2008. His solo project “In The Blue Room” was voted “Top Instrumental Album” by County Record Sales. The 2004 BlueRidge project for which he wrote the title track, was nominated for a Grammy. He was included in the Mel Bay book “Greatest Mandolin Players of the Twentieth Century.” In early 2004 the Gibson Company put into production the Alan Bibey Signature line of mandolins, reaffirming his status as one of the most influential mandolin players in bluegrass and acoustic music history. Some of his most recent accolades include numerous #1 albums and songs, including his writing and performance on the latest Alan Bibey & Grasstowne singles, “Cold Dark Ground” and “This Old Guitar and Me”.  His project with Wayne Benson, called the Mandolin Chronicles, was nominated last year for five IBMA awards.  Alan currently plays with his band Alan Bibey & Grasstowne, with their CD “Alan Bibey & Grasstowne 4″, yielding three #1's and all 12 songs from the project charting on Bluegrass Today's Airplay Chart.  Their most recent project with Mountain Fever Records ” Gonna Rise and Shine” impressed with such hits as “Gonna Rise and Shine” and “When Jesus Swings the Wrecking Ball”. Most recently Alan was nominated and took home back-to-back 2019 and 2020 IBMA Mandolin Player of the Year and the 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2024 SPBGMA Mandolin Performer of the Year. His band Alan Bibey & Grasstowne took home the 2020 IBMA Gospel Recording of the Year. Alan is a full-time member of the popular and distinguished bluegrass band, Balsam Range, playing in venues across the United States. They recently released their new album Kinetic Tone, which has yielded multiple #1 songs.  When Alan is not on the road, he works on several album projects for various artists, which he produces in his studio, Maggie's Crib, in Surfside Beach, South Carolina.

This week on The Hometown Bluegrass Show, Tim and Josh sit down with the newest member of legendary bluegrass group Balsam Range, Stephen Hudson.Stephen talks about joining one of bluegrass music's most respected bands, stepping into the fiddle and vocal role, and what it's been like becoming part of the Balsam Range family. The guys discuss Stephen's musical roots, his love for traditional bluegrass music, and the excitement surrounding this new chapter in his career.Josh and Tim also dive into the future of Balsam Range, life on the road, favorite songs, and the importance of keeping traditional bluegrass alive for the next generation.If you're a fan of hard-driving fiddle, great harmony singing, and real bluegrass conversation, this is an episode you don't want to miss!

Making a Scene Presents An Interview with Mark W Winchester Mark W. Winchester is a Grammy-winning bassist, award-winning songwriter, independent recording artist, and live performer based in Nashville, Tennessee. Originally from Monroe, North Carolina, Mark moved to Nashville with his wife in 1988 determined to figure out how a songwriter gets noticed in Music City. Ironically, he got noticed first as a player—sitting in on upright bass and showing off the rockabilly “slap” technique he had sharpened in his University of South Carolina combo, The 88's. That moment opened the door to a career built on one opportunity leading to the next. http://www.makingascene.org

Episode Notes ** Did you know you can support my podcast for as little as $1 a month? You can do that by heading over to my Patreon HERE!!  ​ My guest this week is Darren Nicholson. Darren and I last chatted way back in 2021 when he was still playing with Balsam Range. Darren has now been performing with his own band, the Darren Nicholson Band, and has a brand new album coming out on May 1st.  Head over to Darren's page to find his tour info, social media and most importantly his shop! Songs featured in this episode: All songs featured in this episode are from Darren's new album “Lonesome Trails and Tall Tales” available May 1st, except for: “Blue Virginia Blues” by Larry Sparks  “Little Maggie” by Ricky Skaggs  Video Links:  Bluegrass Roots Ferdinand video As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor's that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ear Trumpet Labs Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer

Referred to by Billboard Magazine as “One of Music Row's greatest veteran tunesmiths,” Jerry Salley has had an exceptionally successful, multi award-winning songwriting career.  Nominated in 2019 for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Salley is the 2018 & 2019 IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) Songwriter of the Year and was named the 2003 SESAC Country Music Songwriter of the Year.  An Ohio native, his home state honored his long, illustrious career in 2024 by inducting him into the Ohio Country Music Hall of Fame.  Salley has had over 560 different songs recorded and his songs have sold in excess of 19 million records worldwide.  Writing and singing in Nashville since 1982, he has written multiple hits in country, bluegrass, and gospel music and may well be the most successful songwriter to have earned equal recognition from all three genres of music. Jerry was a 2020 GRAMMY nominated producer in the Gospel Roots category for producing the multi-artist project, Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout, on Billy Blue Records.  He also produced the popular Dolly Parton single, a new version of the old Gospel Hymn, “In The Sweet By And By”, released as part of the Country Faith Bluegrass project in 2021, which received two 2022 IBMA Awards (Gospel Recording of the Year and Collaborative Recording of the Year), and the 2022 Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Song of the Year.  He currently has a popular song, “It Takes A Woman”, on the new Chris Stapleton album Higher.Jerry's country music successes began in the late 1980s when the group Wild Rose recorded “Breakin' New Ground”.  Since then, countless country music stars have recorded his songs, including Reba McEntire (“I'm Gonna Take That Mountain”,  “Close To Crazy”), John Anderson (“I Fell In The Water”), Wade Hayes (“How Do You Sleep At Night”) , Chris Stapleton (“Outlaw State Of Mind” on the Grammy award winning quadruple-platinum album Traveller), Toby Keith, Sara Evans, Patty Loveless, Joe Nichols, Darryl Worley, Travis Tritt, Tracy Lawrence, Neal McCoy, Mark Chesnutt and many, many more.  Internationally, he has penned no less than nine #1 Country hits in Australia.As part of a trio with friends Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson, Jerry recorded the song “You're Running Wild” on the Louvin Brothers Tribute on Universal South Records. Entitled Livin', Lovin', Losin' – Songs of the Louvin Brothers, the album features numerous country music stars singing songs made famous by the legendary duo. The project won the 2003 GRAMMY for Country Album of the Year.In the bluegrass genre, Jerry was named the 2018 and 2019 IBMA Songwriter of the Year and has had hundreds of songs, including numerous chart-toppers, recorded.  He was thrilled to have co-written three songs on The SteelDrivers GRAMMY award winning album, The Muscle Shoals Recordings (“A Long Way Down”, “The River Runs Red”, “6 Feet Away”), and a song on the Del McCoury Band GRAMMY winning album The Streets of Baltimore (“The Butler Brothers”).  Other bluegrass groups who have recorded Jerry's songs include The Osborne Brothers, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Rhonda Vincent, Lonesome River Band, Balsam Range, Seldom Scene, Flatt Lonesome, IIIrd Tyme Out, Larry Stevenson, Donna Ulisse, Dave Adkins and many others.  Salley is a multiple IBMA Song of the Year nominee, and his song “All Dressed Up”, recorded by Joe Mullin and The Radio Ramblers, won the IBMA Gospel Recorded Song Of The Year award in 2016.  Jerry is an eight-time IBMA Award winner, which includes receiving the 2006 IBMA Album of the Year award for his contribution (as an artist) to the Celebration Of Life album. 

Scott Watson catches up with bluegrass star Don Rigsby about his new single, his role with Balsam Range and more.....See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was Friday at MerleFest and I had already taken in an afternoon and evening of music the day before, which threatened more rain than it delivered. The one downpour that hit the festival grounds coincided with my campsite assembly, though, which made for an especially challenging time with raising my tent. Pouring rain makes tents heavy and unwieldy, but luckily for me, not impossible to put together — just fairly comical to passersby. The inside of it was a mess after that, but it was the only weather incident I experienced all weekend. It would not be MerleFest without at least a little rain, after all. As it would be an outlier for MerleFest to be without rain, it would be similarly unlikely for MerleFest to go without at least one of two contemporary bluegrass stars from western NC: Woody Platt and Buddy Melton. Fans have enjoyed Woody Platt's former band Steep Canyon Rangers thirteen times at the festival since 2006, while Buddy Melton's former group Balsam Range has made five appearances there since 2010. This year, they appeared in a new lineup: Woody Platt and the Bluegrass Gentlemen. I had the pleasure of catching up with Woody Platt and Buddy Melton in one of the few quiet spots available on the festival grounds, in the band's motor coach, where we talked about how this project began; how their region is recovering from Hurricane Helene and more recently, widespread wildfires; a certain Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young cover they played live at the festival, as well as how they love to hear other players cover their songs. That and a lot more, including excerpts of music from Woody Platt's 2024 album Far Away With You awaits you in this episode. Woody Platt and the Bluegrass Gentlemen perform on Creekside Stage at MerleFest in Wilkesboro NC 04-25-25 Songs heard in this episode: “Long Time Coming” by Woody Platt, from Far Away With You“Like The Rain Does” by Woody Platt, from Far Away With You, excerpt“Find the Cost of Freedom” by Crosby, Stills Nash & Young, from Live At Fillmore East, 1969, excerpt“Walk Along With Me” by Woody Platt, from Far Away With You, excerpt“One Last Goodbye” by Woody Platt, from Far Away With YouThanks for reading and listening! We hope you can help spread awareness of what we are doing. It is as easy as telling a friend and following this podcast on your platform of choice. You can find us on Apple here, Spotify here and YouTube here — hundreds more episodes await, filled with artists you may know by name, or musicians and bands that are ready to become your next favorites. This series is a part of the lineup of both public radio WNCW and Osiris Media, with all of the Osiris shows available here. You can also hear new episodes on Bluegrass Planet Radio here. Thanks to Jaclyn Anthony for producing the radio adaptations of this series on WNCW, where we worked with Joshua Meng, who wrote and performed our theme songs. This is Southern Songs and Stories: the music of the South and the artists who make it. - Joe Kendrick

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. 

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. 

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. 

The Bibelhauser Brothers combine twin brother duet harmony vocals with high energy bluegrass-country-soul sounds. On the heels of their latest release “Close Harmony”, Adam and Aaron create an experience fueled by instrumental prowess, original songs, and obscure country classics. In addition to writing songs recorded by award winning bluegrass artists including Del McCoury, Balsam Range, Michael Cleveland, & Dale Ann Bradley, Aaron Bibelhauser is an accomplished session musician on half a dozen instruments, producer and recording engineer for other regional artists, and long time host of the weekly radio broadcast “Bluegrass Evolution” on 91.9 WFPK in Kentucky. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/tophillrecording/support

Rick Dollar enjoys getting the whole story about Alan Bibey's music career, not only with the award-winning Bluegrass group, Balsam Range but Alan Bibey and Grasstown. As you can imagine, Rick and Alan would eventually trade stories about Bill Monroe, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Steve Gulley, and more!

The Dreadful Snakes kick-off this episode of the Back Porch Bluegrass Show, and then we've got Balsam Range, Jeremy Stephens, Dr Pete Wernick (playing some pretty way-out sounding banjo licks), Longview and Ramona Church. I've got Dale Jett & Hello Stranger back this week, and the Trenwiths (previewing their appearance at the Raglan Country & Blues Festival), and a classic from Flatt & Scruggs ( because it IS a bluegrass show!)

On this episode Tim & Josh recap a full weekend of playing music, Colton Baker of IIIrd Tyme Out filling in in Josh's absence and Josh tells a great story of his 2001 debut album song Many a Mile. He even plays it for you live. Their guest this week is Tim Surrrett of the hit bluegrass band Balsam Range. Tim has had a long and successful career and he and Josh tell stories of their time together playing music with the great Tony Rice.

Episode Notes**** To support this podcast you can follow me on Patreon where there is a bunch of video content and tabs available! My guest this week is the award winning Alan Bibey. Alan is a legend and one of the nicest guys around. He recently joined up with Balsam Range and they have a brand new album out called Kinetic Tone available HERE! He's also currently accepting students for his 9th Annual Alan Bibey Mandolin Camp and you can sign up HERE for that. Also, be sure to head over to Alan's website for himself and Grasstowne to keep up with one of the busiest guys around! Songs featured in this episode: All songs are from the new Balsam Range album “Kinetic Tone” available for purchase here! As Always a HUGE thank you to all of my sponsor's that make this podcast possible each week! Mandolin Cafe Acoustic Disc Peghead Nation promo code mandolinbeer Northfiled Mandolins Ellis Mandolins Pava Mandolins Tone Slabs Elderly Instruments String Joy Strings promo code mandolinbeer Ear Trumpet Labs

I've dug deep into my shelves of LPs, and hauled out a few favourites – the Blue Velvet Band, Seldom Scene, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, fiddler Glen Duncan, to find some tracks I've not played on the show previously. We've got a little more contemporary with the HCBB, George Jackson, the Kody Norris Show, and Balsam Range, and some classic bluegrass from Tony Ellis.

Chuck talks with Justice Hudson, a freelance reporter covering homelessness in Wheeling, WV about the recent actions by the city to demolish homeless camps, and how these destructive policies spread far beyond just his city.  Support homeless people in wheeling:StreetMoms (amazon wishlist): http://tinyurl.com/2t3czr5fLIfeHub WV: https://lifehubwv.org/House of Hagar: https://www.houseofhagarcw.com/Subscribe to Justice's substack! https://thehudsoneditorial.com/Follow Justice on twitter: https://twitter.com/JusticeHudson97Timestamps: 00:55 - The disaster of the 2024 election and the NH primary11:40 -  An Ohio State Rep cockblocks their son31:50  - Homeless camp demolitions in Appalachia40:50 - Interview with Justice Hudson01:32:40 - Under-the-radar:  Airbnb housing-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

This episode of Today's Bluegrass features music from artists - Caroline Owens, 7 Mile Bluegrass, Tom Jutz, Balsam Range and more. The show can be heard on Southern Branch Bluegrass & Gospel Music Radio five times each week. Monday at 9 AM, Tuesday at 12 AM, Thursday and Friday at 11 PM and Saturday at 3 AM - all times Eastern. Southern Branch Bluegrass & Gospel Music Radio can be tuned in locally at 91.7 FM Community Radio and streaming world wide at www.sbbradio.org and www.sbbradio.net We are WSBB - Digital Broadcasting Radio.

The Bibelhauser Brothers, based in Louisville, are super talented brothers who will absolutely wow you with both their vocal and instrumental power. In addition to writing songs recorded by award-winning bluegrass artists including Del McCoury, Balsam Range, Michael Cleveland, & Dale Ann Bradley, Aaron Bibelhauser is sought after as a songwriter, vocalist, solo recording artist, and bandleader.  Aaron has spent the past twenty years working with several Kentucky-based ensembles and hustling as a sideman and utility player on banjo, pedal steel guitar, dobro, piano, bass, and guitar. Twin brother Adam has spent the past two decades developing one of the most powerful voices in bluegrass music, and his own style as a bassist, as well as a guitarist. His commanding presence, grit, and grace, both on and off stage are in a league of their own.

Chuck and Callie discuss the new Tennessee Satan Ass club, the Sackler's bankruptcy deal, and Mac Warner's conspiracy-laden run for governor of West Virginia-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will.Support the show

Bluegrass Icons, Balsam Range have a great new record HOT OFF THE PRESSES! Rick Dollar sits down with Buddy Melton and gets the What For about this new project!

Chuck and Callie discuss a recent article in Belt about queer Appalachian witches, and how they're building a beautiful and supportive community, and the absurd backlash they received on Twitter after posting about the article.  (Full disclosure: we're obviously not witches and we talked about this to the best of our ability as people without personal knowledge.  If you're a queer appalachian witch, you're more than welcome on our show and we'd love to hear from you and learn more!)https://beltmag.com/the-queer-witches-of-appalachia/Plus!  Callie and Chuck talk Zach Shrewsbury, a democrat running for U.S. Senate in West Virginia! You can learn more about Zach here: https://www.shrewsburyforsenate.com/Timestamps: 01:10  - Is Elon Musk okay?09:30  - Queer Appalachian witches are great!42:15 -  Interview with Zach Shrewsbury01:10:00 - Under-the-radar:   Johnson City's Police  Are Awful-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will.Support the show

Chuck and Callie discuss a recent MASSIVE and EXPLOSIVE article in Grist, reported by Austyn Gaffney, about the absolute disaster that was AppHarvest, an agricultural start-up that sold a bill of goods to the people in Eastern Kentucky, then fleeced them and filed bankruptcy.  Its a sad, wild story that you need to know about.https://grist.org/agriculture/appharvest-indoor-farming-morehead-kentucky/ Plus!  Callie and Chuck talk with the filmmakers behind "O Pioneer", a  documentary follows three West Virginians—a blacksmith, a seamstress, and a hospital chaplain—as they creatively navigate hardship and call us to champion the pioneer within.Check it out here!: https://opioneer.com/ HELP SAVE THE WHEELING JAMBOREE! https://gofund.me/ac551fbcTimestamps: 02:57  - Joe Manchin's side quest continued09:55  - CrAppHarvest40:00 - O'Pioneer Interview01:07:04 - Under-the-radar:  Be Gay Do Crimes-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck and Callie discuss one hell of an election night this past Tuesday, including the results in Ohio, Kentucky, and Virginia, as well as the end of Joe Manchin's senate career and his weird side quest to "find the middle"Plus!  Callie and Chuck talk with Dorian Palmer, president of the North Carolina Young Democrats, about capturing this momentum into 2024. HELP SAVE THE WHEELING JAMBOREE! https://gofund.me/ac551fbcTimestamps: 01:00  - Joe Manchin's incoming side quest09:00 - Some great election results!34:56 - Interview with Dorian Palmer59:49 - Under-the-radar:  A tribute to Loyal Jones-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck and Callie discuss Issues 1 & 2 in Ohio - two ballot initiatives enshrining abortion, contraception, fertility care, and miscarriage care (among others) in Ohio's Constitution and legalizing recreational weed.  Plus!  Callie talks with Dwight Garner, a NY Times columnist and author of "The Upstairs Delicatessen: On eating, reading, reading about eating, and eating while reading."Get Dwight's book here! https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-upstairs-delicatessen-on-eating-reading-reading-about-eating-and-eating-while-reading-dwight-garner/19509951Timestamps: 00:45  - Issues 1 & 217:56 - Interview with Dwight Garner45:50 - Under-the-radar:  WVU Admin heads rolling?-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck talks with Allen Junge, Kate Anderson, and Emmi Cohen of the Activision Blizzard King (ABK) Workers Alliance about how video game workers are unionizing and organizing for a better work environment!  Acivision-Blizzard is one of the largest video game publishers in the world and is the publisher for games like Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, Crash Bandicoot, and more.  The ABK Workers Alliance is a group of organized workers from video game company Activision Blizzard. Formed in response to a July 2021 state lawsuit against the company for harassment and discriminatory work practices, the worker advocacy group A Better ABK organized walkouts and demonstrations against the company's policy and practices. The quality assurance workers of subsidiary Raven Software went on strike in December after part of the team was fired. The striking workers announced their union as the Game Workers Alliance in late January 2022 and offered to end the strike pending their union's recognition.ABK Workers Alliance LinksWebsite: https://abkwatch.org/abk-workers-allianceTwitter: https://twitter.com/abetterabk?lang=enTimestamps: 01:15 - Intro: looking back at 200 episodes!07:40 - Kentucky governor's debate/Andy wiping the floor34:00  - Interview with ABK Workers Alliance01:06:00 - Under-the-radar:  Wifi on school buses-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

We talk about the importance of Taylor Swift ditching Travis Kelce for an Appalachian, for the sake of our region's economy, John Fetterman's wardrobe controversy, and why the first two senators to call for Sen. Bob Menendez to resign were also guests on  Appodlachia.Plus! Callie talks with Allison Ricket and Claire Ramsey  Building Bridges 2 Careers about how they're working to bridge the gap between education and employment by fostering school, business, and community relationships to inspire career choice through experience, entrepreneurship, and educatin!Learn more about Building Bridges 2 Careershttps://www.bb2careers.org/Check out Appalachian Big Ideas Festivalhttps://www.appalachianky.org/bigideas/Timestamps: 01:15 - Intro: Great Value-brand Joe Manchin 07:58 - Taylor Swift can fix the Appalachian Economy17:22 - John Fetterman's clothes and Bob Menendez29:39 - Announcements35:10  - BB2C Interview-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

We talk about the importance of Taylor Swift ditching Travis Kelce for an Appalachian, for the sake of our region's economy, John Fetterman's wardrobe controversy, and why the first two senators to call for Sen. Bob Menendez to resign were also guests on  Appodlachia. Plus! Callie talks with Allison Ricket and Claire Ramsey  Building Bridges 2 Careers about how they're working to bridge the gap between education and employment by fostering school, business, and community relationships to inspire career choice through experience, entrepreneurship, and educatin!Learn more about Building Bridges 2 Careershttps://www.bb2careers.org/Check out Appalachian Big Ideas Festivalhttps://www.appalachianky.org/bigideas/Timestamps: 01:15 - Intro: Great Value-brand Joe Manchin 07:58 - Taylor Swift can fix the Appalachian Economy17:22 - John Fetterman's clothes and Bob Menendez29:39 - Announcements35:10  - BB2C Interview-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck talks with Amanda Page, David Bernabo, and John Miller about the documentary "Peerless City" about Portsmouth, OH.  We also chat about John's documentary "Moundsville."  They're both fascinating, and Peerless City is now avaialble on PBS Passport, so check it out!!Peerless City and Moundsville Links https://www.peerlesscity.com/https://www.pbs.org/show/peerless-city/https://moundsville.org/https://www.pbs.org/show/moundsville/Check out Appalachian Big Ideas Festivalhttps://www.appalachianky.org/bigideas/Timestamps: 01:15 - Intro: Great Value-brand Joe Manchin 07:40 - Checkin' in on Congressman Mad Dog 20/2015:27 - Announcements24:10  - Peerless City Interview53:26 - Under-the-radar:  The Manchinchurian Candidate-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck and Callie talk with Shelby Meador and Christian Adams of WV United Students Union to talk about the ridiculous budget cuts at WVU, E Gordon Gee's poor leadership, and what students, alumni, faculty, and supporters are doing to push back against the erosion of the state's largest land-grant university.Follow West Virginia United Students' Union and learn more about them, and support them!!https://aftacademics.org/wvunitedsu/https://twitter.com/wvunitedsuJOIN THE ALUMNI RALLY THIS SATURDAY! 1PM SATURDAY SEPT. 9TH IN FRONT OF THE MOUNTAINLAIR IN MORGANTOWNWEAR BLACK!Timestamps: 02:20 - Intro: Weed in Cherokee country09:30 - E Gordon Grift and his history of Scrooge McDuckin 23:50 - Interview with Shelby Meador and Christian Adams of WV United01:12-12 - Under-the-radar:  Waymakers CollectiveArticles Mentionedhttps://westvirginiawatch.com/2023/08/22/wvu-troubles-not-surprising-with-gees-history-of-lavish-spending/ https://ordinary-times.com/2023/08/29/the-maleficent-gordon-gee-and-his-malfunctioning-money-machine/-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck and Callie talk with Elaine Eisinger, who's child was a student at The Covenant School in Nashville  on March 27th, 2023, where a mass shooting took the lives of 6 innocent people, including 3 children.  Elaine shares her personal story of how she became involved in politics in Tennessee, her experience about that horrific day in March, and what her and other parents are doing to change the Volunteer State and make it a safer place for kids to go to school. (Elaine appears in her personal capacity as a private citizen and parent of a student at the Covenant School) Please consider supporting Covenant Families for a Brighter Tomorrowhttps://www.covenantbrightertomorrows.org/This is a grassroots organization comprised of parents, survivors, and staff deeply impacted by this tragedy whose objective is to provide education around the impact and prevention of school shootings, improve mental health support, and drive meaningful legislative change to ensure the safety of children and staff in schools.Timestamps: 02:20 - Question of the week: What is something that pisses off Appalachians but nobody else?18:05 - Rich Man North of Richmond's misplaced ire 26:46 - Interview with Elaine Eisinger -----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!Red Rooster Coffee! Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Callie chats with renowned songwriter Jon Wesiberger about writing music and how streaming has impacted songwriters.  Jon is credited with composing  200+ songs including  for Billy Strings, the Infamous Stringdusters, and Balsam Range and has won numerous awards including Songwriter of the Year from the International Bluegrass Music Association.-----------------------------------------------Support our friend Philip Bowen by getting his new album!  https://philipbowenmusic.myshopify.com/Intro/Outro and Interview transition music: "Old Kanawha" by Philip Bowen ft. Charles Wesley GodwinCheck out our new sponsor!  Red Rooster Coffee!Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/-----------------------------------------------Timestamps: 01:50 - Intro :  Ohio Issue 1 win04:40 - Alan Jackson: Consent King14:48 - Patreon!17:00 - Interview with Jon Weisberger51:18 - Under the Radar: Leaving Appalachia -----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia--------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Chuck and Callie take listener submissions about the worst thing they ever got in trouble for as a kid, and then talk with Jeffrey Reddick - creator of the Final Destination horror franchise - about the writers/actors strike in Hollywood and what working class people are facing with rich studio executives. Follow Jeffrey: https://twitter.com/JeffreyaReddick  Support the strike: https://sagaftra.foundation/emergencyfinancialassistance/https://entertainmentcommunity.org/Check out our new sponsor!  Red Rooster Coffee!Use our promo code "DOLLY" for free shipping!https://www.redroostercoffee.com/-----------------------------------------------Timestamps: 04:59 - Appalachian Stories: What was the worst thing you got in trouble for?33:07 - Interview with Jeffrey Reddick34:58 - How he made it in the industry41:57 - How streaming has impacted writers and actors46:32 - Pay and other demands50:57 - Ai57:37 - Supporting the strike-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Callie and Chuck talk with Stephanie Hoskins and Destinie Robinson of Volunteers of America about the opioid morphine epidemic-----------------------------------------------Timestamps: 00:23 - Intro - Chuck moving05:30 - Appalachian Stories: Papaw Stories25:12 - Patreon Limericks!28:57 - Interview with VOA01:00:40 - Under-the-radar: Broadband Moneyyy $$$-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Callie and Chuck talk with 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, author of "Gay Poems for Red States" and altogether wonderful human, Willie Carver!  Get Willie's Book: https://tinyurl.com/GayPoemsKYPressFollow Willie on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillieETCarver WVU Faculty + Staff Blog Post Link: https://wvufacts.wordpress.com/-----------------------------------------------Timestamps: 01:26 - Acknowledging the Birth of West By God Virginia03:17 - Huggy Beer 08:00 - Appalachian Stories: Unhinged Death Stories25:00 - Patreon Limericks!28:35 - Interview with Willie Carver01:00:00 - Under-the-radar: WVU Budget Crisis!-----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Today we talk about the Trump indictment, discuss some of the most notable reality tv stars from Appalachia, and talk to PA artist Norman Ed!-----------------------------------------------Timestamps: 01:02 - Trump Indictment22:30 - Weekly List: Appalachian Reality TV Stars42:06 - Interview with Norman Ed -----------------------------------------------HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/ DISCLAIMER: None of the views expressed in this show represent the views of either Chuck or Callie's employers, and they never will. Support the show

Today, Chuck talks with Anderson Clayton - the newly elected chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party who, at 25 years old, is the youngest Democratic Party leader in the country.  HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

Chuck talks with Robert Kahne of My Old Kentucky Podcast about the GOP primary for governor in Kentucky and Joe Biden's re-election announcement!Check out My Old Kentucky Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-old-kentucky-podcast/id1154532193HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

We sit down with Jon Matthews and J Gallienne from the Appalachian Queer Film Festival to discuss the festival's roots, what showcasing queer filmmaking means to them and the region, and more! The festival is October 6-8th this year in Huntington, WV!  Find out more in the links below.  AQFF Links:Appalachian Queer Film Festival website: https://www.appalachianqueerfilmfest.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/appalachianqueerfilmfest/Kokomo city: https://festival.sundance.org/program/film/638a18f0d406b253ebf2cf2cCheck out the Vanishing Postcards podcast! https://www.vanishingpostcards.comHELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

Callie sits down with Councilwoman Ixya Vega! In addition to being a member of the Morgantown, WV City Council and on the board of Holler Health Justice, Ixya is West Virginia's only full time Planned Parenthood organizer, and Callie talks with her about organizing in Appalachia,  doing so as a woman of color, and much more!In our weekly list, we discuss some Appalachian heavy hitters in the outdoors and conservation game then take you through some of the worst parts of the McCarthy budget and how Appalachia will be harmed for our under-the-radar segment (its way more interesting than it sounds, promise!)Ixya's links:Morgantown City Council: https://www.morgantownwv.gov/directory.aspx?EID=67IG: https://www.instagram.com/ixyaaaTwitter: https://twitter.com/IxyaaaCheck out the Vanishing Postcards podcast! https://www.vanishingpostcards.com/HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Timestamps01:30 - Intro: Naked and Afraid outta Haywood County08:50 - Weekly List:  5 Appalachian Outdoor Heroes30:00 - Interview with Councilwoman Ixya Vega1:00:29 - Under-the-radar: Dangerous cuts in congressional GOP budget will harm Appalachia-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

Today we talk about Kelly Craft's painful attempts at relating to people on the campaign trail, how Pittsburgh is purchasing people's medical debt and forgiving it, and we talk to Ohio Democratic Party Chair Liz Walters about the party's plan to win back the state house and make gains in rural parts of the state. Watch/Share Drew Morgan's new mini-special, "Tennessee's a Drag": https://youtu.be/x-iXT80lWBgEast Palestine Charity: https://www.brightsideprojectohio.org/east-palestine-crisis-reliefHELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Timestamps01:30 - Intro: Dance Moms 08:50 - Weekly List: Kelly Craft's worst blunders32:40 - Interview with Chair Liz Walters1:05:06 - Under-the-radar: Pittsburgh Medical Debt Relief-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

I've dug into the bottom shelf of my old LP's to come up with some tracks that haven't been played on this show previously – Delia Bell & Bill Grant, Jim & Jesse, John Hartford, Buck White & the Down Home Folks, Eric Weissberg & Marshall Brickman. I'll also be playing some lesser-known Flatt & Scruggs, Raymond McLain, the Gibson Brothers, and newer friends like Balsam Range, Starlett & Big John Talley, and even some HCBB.

Today we talk entirely about the Tennessee Three and their undemocratic expulsions from the Tennessee Legislature, including an interview with the training director for Organize Tennessee, Charles Uffelman. We dedicate this episode to the innocent victims of the Nashville mass shooting at Covenant School.  It is our hope that we remember their names and fight for a better and more safer world in their memory.  HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Timestamps03:05 - Intro: Danny saves Easter05:44 - The Tennessee Three42:40 - Interview with Charles Uffelman1:00:41 - Dedication to the victims of the Nashville shooting-----------------------------------------------Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

This week on The Gospel Jubilee it will be an all bluegrass edition. Songs by Balsam Range, Authentic Unlimited, the Darrell Webb Band, Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers, and so much, much more. Here are all of the ways you can listen to the Gospel Jubilee On your Echo device say, Alexa, play the Gospel Jubilee on Apple podcast. For a direct download go to: https://api.spreaker.com/v2/episodes/53226523/download.mp3 Ocean Waves Radio ... every Wednesday at 12 noon Eastern time., www.OceanWavesRadio.com Thursday afternoons at 4:00 PM and Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM EST on Southern Branch Bluegrass Radio, www.sbbradio.org Saturday evenings at 7:00 and Wednesday afternoons at 4:00 CST on Radio For Life, www.RadioForLife.org Legend Oldies Radio. Our broadcast will be aired every Sunday morning at 9:00 AM CDT. https://www.legendoldies.com Playlist: Artists |Song Title | Album 01. The Joyful Sounds - Let us sing - "Let Us Sing" 02. Jody Adams - All day singin' - "Voices Of Home" 03. Balsam Range - Gonna be movin - "The Gospel Collection" 04. Daryl Mosley with Ronnie booth - Big God - "Big God - Single" 05. Anny Roberts - I went down a beggar - "Nighthawk" 06. Bama Blu-Grace - Come unto me - "Journey Of Faith" 07. The Cluster Pluckers - Keep on the sunny side - "Bluegrass gospel Favorites" 08. Authentic Unlimited - Ready - "Gospel Sessions Volume 1" 09. Donna Ulisse - this is my Father's world - "I Am A Child Of God" 10. Candy & Jeremy - Tomorrow - "Worth The Journey" 11. The Cox Family & Alison Krauss - Will there be any stars - "Country Faith Bluegrass" 12. Doyle Lawson & Quick Silver -Shall we gather at the river - "Country Faith Bluegrass" 13. Daily & Vincent - By the mark - "Country Faith Bluegrass" 14. The Darrell Webb Band - If you don't believe the Bible - "Bloodline" 15. Heaven's Mountain Band - When the Savior calls me - "Old Fashion Worship" 16. Dale Ann Bradley & The Isaacs - Working on a building - "Country Faith Bluegrass" 17. The Del McCoury Band - I'm bound for the land of Canaan - "The promise Land" 18. Mac Wiseman, The Whites, & Charlie Daniels - Walking in Jerusalem just like John - "Country Faith Bluegrass" 19. High Road Faithful again - "High Road" 20. Jerry Salley & Brandon Rickman & Bradley Walker - Back of the church - "Gonna Sing, Gonna Shout, Bluegrass Gospel" 21. Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers - You gotta get down - "Somewhere Beyond The Blue" 22. Larry Cordle - Give me Jesus - "Give Me Jesus" 23. Primitive Quartet - There's a much better way - "It's Real" 24. Rhonda Vincent - Until then - "Bound For Gloryland" 25. Ricky Skaggs & The Whites - Homesick for heaven - "The Salt Of The Earth" 26. The Isaacs - The wilderness - "Songs For The Times" 27. Larry DeLawder - Uncloudded day - "Bluegrass Gospel Harmonica"

Callie's hometown of Canton, NC is facing an absolutely devastating situation as the company who own's the town's biggest employer - a paper mill - announced it would be shutting down the facility in June, leaving 1,100 union workers without jobs.  Callie breaks down the history of Canton and lays the context for why this is so hearbreaking, we talk about the politics, and we interview the Mayor of Canton - Zeb Smathers, who doesn't mince words. HELP SUPPORT APPODLACHIA!Join our Patreon, for as little as $1/month, and access live events, weekly exclusives, bonus series, and more http://www.patreon.com/appodlachia-----------------------------------------------Timestamps00:40 - Intro: Chuck was attacked by a cat07:44 - Background on Canton, NC15:46 - The company's shadiness, the economic impact, and the union41:32 - The politics of the mill closure 54:20 - Announcements57:08 - Interview with Mayor Zeb Smathers-----------------------------------------------Intro, Outro, and Transition music: "Paper Town" by Balsam Range (used with artist permission)https://www.balsamrange.com/-----------------------------------------------Check out our fantastic sponsors!CBD and THC gummies & more: (use code "BANJO" for 25% off) http://www.cornbreadhemp.com/Support the show

Our special guest in this episode is Darren Nicholson.Darren Nicholson ended his relationship with Balsam Range and has launched out in new directions with his music.Darren shares all about his new music, what he's been up to, and how the major life-changing events in his life have shaped him into who he is today.------------------------------------------------------------------------------Transcript:00:00: 27--00:00: 55 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Hi, this is Joseph Franklyn McElroy with the Gateway to the Smokies podcast, talking about the people and culture of the Smoky Mountains where my family has been around for a couple of hundred years. And I own a business here called the Meadowlark Motel as well as a restaurant called Homecraft. And I'm pretty proud to be back in the area and meeting and greeting, and talking to some wonderful people, like my guest today, Darren Nicholson. How are you doing, Darren? 00:00: 56--00:00: 58 Darren Nicholson:  Doing great, Joseph. Thank you so much for having me on. 00:00: 58--00:01: 12 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Sure. Last time I had you on the previous podcast series and I did a whole intro. But why don't you do three sentences of what you think is your highlights of your bio? 00:01:14--00:01:20 Darren Nicholson:  I'm the world's foremost turkey hypnotist. 00:01: 20--00:01:21  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: There you go. 00:01:21--00:01:31 Darren Nicholson: I wear frilly leg warmers, and I have quite an impressive Beanie Baby collection. 00:01: 31--00:01:49  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: There you go. Let me tell you, I have to look at you quite a bit because you gave me a shirt with I think it was a picture of your album of you with a rose in your teeth doing a deep sort of lunge in your underwear, right? 00:01:50 --00:01:53 Darren Nicholson: Yes. It's a provocative pose for an early morning. 00:01: 53--00:02:14  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  The problem is you put that on a T-shirt that's soft that my wife grabbed it and she wears it to bed about once a week. So I got to look at your face in a bone about once a week. 00:02:14 --00:02:58 Darren Nicholson: It's actually the evening before pill. It's not the morning-after pill. It's the evening before you put that on and make sure nothing happens in the bedroom. That was actually a graphic. A guy in Kentucky did that graphic. His name is Jonathan Carroll. He's a great graphic artist. He was nominated for an IBMA award this year for his graphic art. But he took me and it was the if you remember, the Seinfeld episode with George Costanza on the couch that pose in his underwear. It was basically kind of a spoof on that version of this. I still have a few of those left, believe it or not. I did not sell all of those. 00:02: 58--00:03:47  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Well, for the folks out there who might not know, which I doubt, I think everybody's going to know. But Darren is one of the foremost musicians in American and bluegrass today, and he has a solo career, and he also has been a member of several bands. Most recently, he left Balsam Range, which is one of the top bluegrass bands in the world right now. I'm assuming that you were looking to pursue new opportunities and new opera things. So what is new with your career in that regard? And I guess you have a new bluegrass booze, right? 00:03:47 --00:06:26 Darren Nicholson: Yeah, got a brand new bluegrass record that I finished last year, actually. But the first single just came out on January 29. It's called Arkansas without you. And it's a host of hot young pickers and I'm really excited about the new bluegrass project. And so far the thing, it's got raised reviews. It's been a long time since Balsam Range. I've been in the studio, and my departure from Balsam Range is definitely not an end for me. It's a new beginning. I did 15 years. I was an original member, and I'm very grateful for those 15 years, but definitely got to a place professionally and personally where I wanted to do something different. Balsam Range, a lot of people don't realize, has always been well, not always, but for the last at least ten years has been a part-time band and so with every year, the dates have seemed to be doing less and less. And I think that's by choice. I think that's what they want to do. But they only did 30 dates last year. That was what was on the calendar, around 30 dates. And I did about 250 dates on my own, so I couldn't by the time it was the smoke cleared, I did about 290 performance dates last year. And so it got to it just got to a place in my career where instead of doing a couple of part-time things, the opportunity presented itself for me to play music full-time and focus on my full-time solo career. And to be honest with you, it was a no-brainer. I had to do it for my business, and then I had to do it for my mental health, too. It's hard juggling a schedule and setting a calendar because people would try to book me for the fall of next year. And I was constantly in limbo with their schedule and what they may or may not do. It was a difference in direction of my career. And it's nothing personal, it's nothing against them. They're going to continue doing what they do, and I wish them well. But I've got a singular focus. I'm a lot happier and it's a lot less stressful trying to juggle a bunch of things, so I'm in a much better place. 00:06: 26--00:07:07  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  I remember last time we talked, I listened to quite a bit of your solo stuff, right?  There were some of the American, almost country music things that I really liked a lot. And you had a little bit of sort of bluesy parts to it and some real almost southern rock rifts and things like that. I thought, wow, you should be out there doing a lot on your own, which of course you were, but I think you keep rising higher, just mean yourself, right? 00:07:10 --00:09:58 Darren Nicholson:  That's it.  Well, that seems to be knock-on-wood, the direction things are going. And part of it is if you're always comfortable, that means you're not growing. And so I don't want to get into a place with my music where I'm doing the same sets all the time, or I'm just doing the same thing. I wanted to get outside the box, and get outside of my comfort zone. I'm writing songs. So the record you're talking about is called the man on a Mission. And that album, I had another guy produce it, Jeff Collins. And I had a whole cast of musicians that I don't normally use, and it forced me in a different direction. And that's what I wanted.  I wanted something new and organic to get me out of my comfort zone and push my own creativity and my own growth, to push my boundaries a little bit. And it was a great experience. And so with this new bluegrass record, I did the same thing, but in a different direction. I've produced several records on my own, and so I know what that sounds like. So I got a young guy, a guy I play a lot of music with named Colby Laney. He's from Marion, North Carolina, and he's probably the best acoustic guitar player on the planet. Or if he's not, he's one of the leading three. He's incredible. But I had him coproduce it with me and he brought this new energy and new life to my bluegrass recordings, and that's what I wanted. I picked all musicians I'm only 39, but all musicians who were younger than me and who were all more progressive players.  I did. And it just put me I'm still doing what I do. I play like I play, I sing like I sing. But with this other cast, with different musicians, it's going to have a different sound, and I want to keep doing that. There are musicians that I look up to, like Marty Stewart and Darryl Scott who marty Stewart will do a black gospel record, then he'll do a rock record, then he'll do a country record. But it's always good. But it's got a different feel. And in the last record he did, he had Mike Campbell from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He had him produce it. And I like the even for seasoned musicians who have a style and an idea of music, it's good to get out of your comfort zone. And so that's what I do. 00:9: 59--00:10:47  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   I agree. One of the things that surprised me in talking to you is that you really have an artistic mind. Right. There are a lot of artists that are really focused on the craft, and you are great at your craft. There's nothing to short you there. But you also get into the whole conceptual, artistic thinking as well, about the concept of what you're doing, the concept of what you're playing, like partnering with the younger players, I think it makes your work have a depth that is unique a lot of times. So I'm pretty excited about what you're doing. How do you think it'll change your live performances? 00:10:48 --00:013:37 Darren Nicholson:   It already has. Playing with Colby and just the last few years, it's reinvigorated my interest in music. And so for years and years, I would do shows and I would just show up and play, and I would go home or go do whatever. But during the pandemic, when I had some personal changes and some lifestyle changes, I've almost had this rebirth and this fire reignited in me for music. And so I find myself every day writing songs or getting my instruments out of the case and practicing at home. Plus, I play shows five or six days a week somewhere. I'm doing a lot of traveling, a lot of playing, but I'm really inspired to get better and being with young musicians with different ideas and new ideas to kind of get me out of my thing, I think it's important.  I love that saying, if you do what you've always done, you'll have what you've always had. And so I want to get out of my comfort zone a little bit. I want to grow my business. I want to grow my music. And the biggest thing for me is not about when I say grow my music, I don't necessarily mean I want my name in the Marquee Lights, playing in front of 10,000 people or playing arenas. I want to do more shows, and I don't care if the shows are for less people. I like the intimate listening rooms, and I like smaller crowds. I've been doing a lot of solo and due at shows, and a lot of this came out of the pandemic where I was doing house concerts and these smaller things, and it just clicked with me.  I'm like, man, this is how this music was intended. When I look at your background, what I see is I see people in these mountains, on their porches and in their living rooms playing music. That's how I grew up. And then when we started doing that during the pandemic, there's a connection that happens with the music that does not happen at a big theater show or a big arena. There's a connection that happens when you can almost reach out and touch the artist with the music that's so organic. And I'm like, that is what I want to grow into. I want to be the guy who takes music everywhere.  I want to share the joy and share music and share culture, and I want to be an ambassador for Western North Carolina music and for the culture that I love and make people happy in the process. 00:13: 38--00:14:09  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  That's pretty fantastic. You mentioned songwriting. I saw on your Facebook the other day you had just written a song with Charles Humphrey III, who's also been on this show and is a friend of the gateway that smoked his podcast, and you sang it. It was really nice. So you're doing a lot of songwriting, and you talk about it quite a bit, but did you start playing first or songwriting first, and what inspired your interest in spotting songwriting? 00:14:10 --00:014:18   Darren Nicholson:  Well, are you talking about, would I get interested in just performing music first or songwriting? 00:14: 18--00:14:58  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   Well, it's interesting the question is, I think some people in my craft, which is doing painting and things like that, some people become just interested, really drawing well, or really painting a rose and doing it really well, or other people have a purpose that they're doing it for. They want to communicate something, they want to say something and have meaning behind the craft. So what is your approach? 00:14:59 --00:017:15   Darren Nicholson:  Well, that is my approach to songwriting is I love songs that tell stories and songs that have a deeper meaning. I don't like songs that paint pictures. Like my grandpa's cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountain hills. We played there when I was a kid, like nostalgia songs and things like that. To me, anybody can write those. But when you start getting into deeper meaning, like talking about love or hope or inspiration or a message in a song or telling a story, basically turning a three and a half minute musical piece, it's basically like a three and a half minute sitcom. I think those kind of songs connect on a deeper level, and that's usually what I'm going for. We don't always do it. Sometimes we write silly songs, sometimes you're not going to change the world with every song. But those are the songs that I like, and that's what I'm trying to do with my songwriting, is write something that's meaningful to somebody. But for the song we wrote the other day, I put a really rough video out on Facebook, and it was not the greatest singing or playing, it was just really rough and raw. And to do that, it takes vulnerability. There are some artists who really hide behind going into the recording studio, you know what I mean? Once Pro Tools and everything's run through, they sound like a million bucks. But you don't ever see them sing live. You don't ever see them. You get on there with just them and their instrument and perform. And I think there's a vulnerability about that. If you can translate it well enough to convey the emotion.  I think people are connected to the wrongness of that on a certain level. And I be dang. I put that video out and I got a call from a national touring act. That's one of the biggest acts in bluegrass. And before the day was out, they're going in next week and recording that song. 00:17: 16--00:17:18  Joseph Franklyn McElroy: Oh, my gosh, 00:17:18 --00:017:20   Darren Nicholson:  We wrote that song two days ago. 00:17: 20--00:17:22  Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  That's fabulous. That's the way to do it. 00:17:24 --00:017:38  Darren Nicholson: They said, do you have a work tape of it? And I said, well, we just wrote it like 30 minutes ago, and I had a rough work tape of it on my phone. I sent it, that and the lyrics, and they called me right back and said, we're going to cut it next week. 00:17: 38--00:18:38 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Wow, fabulous. There you go. My conversations with you. We're planning a performance, and this is my little pitch for the Meadowlark I'm weaving it in here, but the Meadowlark Motel has a speakeasy called the Skylark SpeakEasy. And we've been talking to you about it. We've been doing some great musical acts there and talking to you. You really had the idea of saying, I'll do some set of music, but then I want to have conversations with the audience and then I may even jam with some people that might show up. It seems to be that this sense of community and intimacy is central to what you do and why you left Balsam Range and why you're performing and you said small clubs and things like that.  I think one of the essences of what you're trying to be is a community and having intimacy with your community. 00:18:38 --00:020:42  Darren Nicholson:  It's an organic approach, but I think that's how you build long-term fans. And when I was talking about that vulnerability, like in that video, when you connect with people on a personal level, people would see me with Balsam range, and they only saw probably really about 5% of what I can do. If you want to get to know me and my personality and my ability, my talent, you would come to see me at a solo show or one of my other performances. And that's not for everybody. Some people don't like my music or my personality, and that's fine. They don't have to come. But for the people who do and come see me in that capacity, that's the way to build relationships. And I'm not really interested in making fans. I want to make friends and I want to perpetuate the kind of culture that I was brought up in. That very much is a sense of community. The technological world has created a place where people are missing a sense of belonging, and that's why they join these little groups, and that's why there's a division in politics and there's a division in social issues. Because anytime people are so disconnected in a way, it's way that they can feel a part of any kind of group, it's almost like, this is my family online, this is my tribe. And so I want to kind of do that with music. I want to make a place where people can come together with music.  And you don't have to worry about politics, you don't have to worry about social issues, you don't have to worry about enjoying music and just having fun. A night of entertainment. 00:20: 42--00:22:20 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   I grew up in the smoking mountains here, and I get it really well. Recently, my family first got the Meadowlark Motel, my grandmother, first of my parents, and they hired maid who was with us for a long time, and us kids would actually work with her and clean and became good friends. She actually sort of babysitters and things like that. And then her sister was much younger than her, came and did some things here. Well, recently her sister showed back up here to come to the restaurant, and she saw pictures on the wall community. She came to talk to me, and her sister had died.  And the fact that we're celebrating the culture that was here and is still here, she started crying, and she started talking and being part of it, and other people communicate, but even with the people that you worked with, there was a sense of community and intimacy and understanding that existed here. And I really appreciate that. You are perpetuating. I can remember the old timers would get together in a basement and have a little party, right, and bring out their instruments and sing, and then people would start clogging and dancing. That sort of is a way of life and a way of being that you felt connected. And I understand what you're talking about. Right. Do you think the way you design this program that you're going to do with Meadowlark is stemming from directly from that culture? I think it does. 00:22:21 --00:023:45  Darren Nicholson:   It does. Yeah. And that's what I want people to get to know me especially. There are fans of Balsam Range who are like, why in the world would you leave why would you leave that band when they seem to be doing all these things? And it's like, well, this is a good opportunity. If people have questions about my career, like what I want to do, why I want to play music, why I want to do more shows, or why I want to do the things that I want to do, I can explain it to them, and then they don't have to keep guessing. I don't expect questions about Balsam Range, but they can ask me questions about my childhood, how I got into music, the music business, instruments, whatever.  I think when you have an evening like that with people, it's different than just buying a ticket, sitting in a seat, watching somebody play for an hour, and then going home and be like, hey, that was good. There's a connectivity that I think goes along with the music that is just as important. 00:23: 46--00:24:17 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:   Well, we've been having some weekly jams here on Sundays, five to seven people listening, and I'm hoping some of them old-time players we had this last Sunday old time, like 70 something, 75 something people show up and just started clogging, and they're, you know, singing and playing. I hope some of them come and take you up on the offer to jam with them at the end. That would be a major, I think, cultural moment. 00:24: 18 --00:024:45  Darren Nicholson:  So that's what it's all about. And I remember, like, players that I looked up to and players that I wanted to play. I remember when people like Steve Sutton or Mark Pruitt or Arvill Freeman were like, hey, man, get your manly. And Ralph Lewis would always take his Manlyn off and hand it to me, and that was a big deal. He's like, get up and play one with the band that meant so much to me, to a young budding musician. And it's like, man, that was a self-esteem builder. That was a motivator. And I also remember the musicians that were kind of like, who made me feel less than, too, you know what I mean? Who made me feel like, hey, you're not good enough to play with me or don't talk to me. And I do not want to perpetuate and I don't want to come across with that kind of attitude because I have zero tolerance for that. And I'm sure I've probably people the wrong way if I've been in a bad mood after a show or something. I've not lived my life perfectly, but I've never intentionally ever wanted to make someone feel bad or not make someone feel welcome. People remember how you make them feel. I love that. I love that about my musical heroes, Steve and Ralph. Those are the kind of things that I don't want to die. These old times. 00:25: 46--00:26:18 Joseph Franklyn McElroy: That's right. The reason I'm here, too, is because I don't want that culture to die. I'm trying to do my part also, my little tiny part, to try to perpetuate and progress it. It doesn't have to be these mummified things. It can be a thing that grows right. And I'm glad that you are helping grow that now. I was trying to keep this to about 30 minutes, so we're about at that time, what do you want to tell people? Shout out to people to find out more or look you up or what do you want to tell them? 00:26: 18 --00:027:29  Darren Nicholson:  Well, a couple of things going on. I've been working really hard on doing a benefit. It's going to do a lot to help the community. The Steve Sutton Fest is going to happen June 3rd at Silverado in Black Mountain, and proceeds are going to go to Haywood County schools, Buckham county schools, and the IBMA trust fund. That's going to be on June 3 at Silverado with Perpetual Groove being the headliner. But then also I have a brand new single out. It's called Arkansas without you. You can stream it anywhere. Spotify pandora apple Music Arkansas Without You I've got a brand new bluegrass record out with songs that I've written. And if you go to my website dear Nicholson Net, I've got about 120 dates on the books for next year and going to be going all across the country and probably we're going to do over 200 when the smoke clears the road dates, and going to be traveling out further, doing a tour out west. Going to Canada. It's a really exciting time, so I encourage people to come out and see some live music. 00:27: 30--00:29:00 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  Well, thank you very much for being on the show. I might mention that Darren also plays a lot here in the Smoky, especially in Hayward County. So if you can't find a place in the country, just come here and visit and stay at the Meadowlark Motel he might be here or he'll be some other great place here in town. There are a lot of wonderful music venues and things in Hayward County that are worthwhile and have a lot of authenticity. Right. Haywood County has not become a dramatically corporate tourist county. It's still pretty authentic in terms of the way of life and how people live here and how people enjoy music. So come on down to hear them out, either on the road or here. I'll just shout out if you can find out more about the Meadowlark Motel@ meadowlarkmotel.com and if you go slash homecraft, you'll find out about a restaurant, which is almost it's a mountain heritage food with a twist. My wife is from Trinidad, and we do a lot of Caribbean Trinidad spices and things like tomato gravy or cream corn. We just twisted a little bit. But you still taste the authenticity of these mountains in there. People are just raving about it. And we're getting great reviews online and some newspapers are great. And when you come here, you're going to get some Darren. All right. I hope I'll get a testimonial out of that. 00:29:00 --00:029:01  Darren Nicholson: I like your haircut.00:29: 02--00:29:57 Joseph Franklyn McElroy:  It's the perfect haircut. The Gateway to Smokies podcast exists on Smokiesadventure.com. It has its own Facebook page, but all the episodes, the previous ones had a couple of different series, longer episodes, but these are going to be shorter but more fun episodes. And you can go there and find more about everything in the Smokies because it's also a great site for directories of things like places to stay, lodging all over the Smokies, not just Haywood County, and what to do, and attractions and things like that. So thank you all for listening. This has been the gateway to the Smokies podcast. You can go to Facebook.com, Gatewaytothesmokiespodcast, or you can go to Smokiesadventure.com to find out more about this. And I'll see you all next week. 00:29:59 --00:030:00 Hey, thanks for having me. Bye. 

Scott Watson visits with Tim Surrett of Balsam Range and a member of the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A real bluegrass stew here, with a little of everything thrown in to make it tasty. High Fidelity, Balsam Range, Jim Lauderdale and Joe Mullins all contributing to a real feast.